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Dartmouth says tentative EPA settlement would cap town liability on Bliss Corner cleanup at $50,000
Summary
Town officials told the Select Board a tentative agreement with the U.S. EPA would limit Dartmouth’s liability for Bliss Corner cleanup to $50,000, while the EPA has spent about $28 million to date; the settlement is in EPA public comment and awaiting final approval.
Dartmouth officials told the Select Board on June 15 that they have reached a tentative settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Justice that would limit the town’s potential liability for cleanup work in the Bliss Corner neighborhood to $50,000. The EPA’s regional team has recorded roughly $28 million in expenditures on the cleanup to date, according to town staff.
The town administrator said the agreement is in the EPA public comment period and requires final sign-off by the EPA and the Department of Justice. He added that Dartmouth permitted EPA use of the former police station property through at least 2029 as part of cooperative negotiations.
“Through a lot of work, the town has…we entered into settlement discussions with EPA,” the town administrator said, noting the $50,000 figure as a substantial reduction from earlier potential costs. Select Board members praised staff for the progress while noting approvals remain pending.
The Select Board’s report on the settlement emphasized it was the result of extended negotiation and the town’s willingness to support EPA operations locally. Town staff said they are awaiting final federal approvals and that the public comment period is ongoing.
If approved, the deal would reduce the town’s fiscal exposure while allowing federal cleanup efforts to continue. Town officials said they will report back to residents with updates after final federal approval.
The Select Board took no formal vote to bind the town at the meeting; staff characterized the report as an update on negotiations and next steps.
