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Select Board authorizes ash sampling at transfer station; Haley Ward to collect 20 samples by end of May
Summary
The North Haven Select Board approved a $2,500 contract with Haley Ward for up to 20 ash samples at the town transfer station, to be submitted to the state; testing will determine whether ash must be removed as hazardous material.
At its April 2 meeting the North Haven Select Board approved contracting with Haley Ward to collect up to 20 samples of ash from a long-used burn pile at the town transfer station and submit the samples to the state for analysis.
The board heard two cost estimates during the discussion: Campbell Environmental Group provided an earlier, lower estimate but noted potential unknowns; Haley Ward proposed taking 20 samples for a lump-sum fee of $2,500. A board member moved to contract with Haley Ward to complete sampling no later than the end of May; the motion passed unanimously.
Officials explained the reason for testing: state guidance requires testing when ash accumulation reaches six inches, and town staff said the pile exceeds that depth in places. If testing shows hazardous contamination, removal becomes considerably more expensive because material must be shipped out of state (meeting comments noted removal destinations such as Michigan or Alabama). Board members requested that sampling focus only on the area the town is responsible for, to avoid data skew from adjacent private or leased areas where other parties have dumped debris; staff said town personnel will delineate the sampling area and be present during collection.
Why it matters: testing will determine whether the ash can be handled as ordinary waste (cheaper) or classified as hazardous and require costly off-site disposal. The board allocated transfer-station funds to cover the sampling cost and will follow results to determine next steps.
The Select Board instructed staff to set clear sampling boundaries, be present during sampling and return with results and any recommended remediation plans.
