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East Hampton brownfields agency outlines EPA-funded cleanup and community outreach plans
Summary
Ryan Balderio, chair of the East Hampton Brownfields Redevelopment Agency, told the council the agency is midway through EPA-funded assessment work, has spent a state grant, and will apply to CT DEEP in December for remediation-to-green-space funding for a downtown site.
Ryan Balderio, chair of the East Hampton Brownfields Redevelopment Agency, gave the town council an update on the agency’s work and grant funding during the public-comment period. Balderio said the agency received a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and a $200,000 grant from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development; the DECD funding has been fully spent and the EPA funds are about halfway expended.
Balderio listed four properties in the agency’s portfolio that remain priorities for assessment and possible cleanup, including a grassy parcel behind the Center Package store adjacent to the fire pump house. He said that parcel — described in materials as “Three Walnut Avenue” — is a strong candidate for remediation and conversion to publicly accessible green space, and that the agency plans to submit an application to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection in early December seeking funding for remediation and redevelopment into usable greenspace.
Council members asked whether the agency would present maps and concept plans to the community. Balderio said the agency intends to complete further environmental assessment work before holding multiple public engagement sessions (town hall, library and other venues), and that the agency is working with the University of Connecticut brownfields technical assistance program to develop mockups to inform community discussions. He said community outreach is part of the EPA grant requirements and will be emphasized once assessment results clarify the scope of contamination.
Balderio cautioned that some properties have constraints: Three Walnut was described as limited by site density and therefore less suitable for development, while the largest site (13 Summit) may require additional assessment funding depending on results. He said the agency expects to cover initial environmental assessment steps with existing grant money but may seek additional assessment funding for the most contaminated properties.
Balderio concluded by saying the agency will continue to coordinate with town departments and share updates with council as assessments and remediation planning proceed.
