Easton officials weigh remediation options after contamination delays EMS building occupancy

The Easton Board of Selectmen on May 21 addressed environmental contamination discovered at the town's new EMS building, which has left the interior substantially complete but occupancy delayed until regulatory approvals and septic work are finished. First Selectman Dan Lent said the town is reviewing remediation pathways and coordinating with legal counsel and environmental experts to determine next steps.

The board was told the project currently has about $50,000 remaining in its $4.1 million budget after anticipated remaining work and contingencies, and members acknowledged that substantial soil remediation could require an additional appropriation subject to approval at a Special Town Meeting. The board listed immediate action items: Attorney Lee Hoffman was asked to provide a legal opinion on environmental compliance options; the First Selectman, the EMS Building Committee and appointee Joe Palmieri were to coordinate a meeting with town counsel, environmental consultant Chris Buck and DEEP representatives; DPW Director Ed Nagy was instructed to continue site preparation work pending environmental approval; and the town administration was to notify a neighboring EVS property owner about contamination concerns.

Building Committee Chair John Foley told the Board he was confused about communication and coordination among project participants and urged clearer on‑site oversight. First Selectman Lent said the town lacks a designated clerk of the works for the project and pledged to ensure appropriate on‑site representation for the remaining construction activities. The board also noted that septic leaching fields will be installed when approved and that a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy and related approvals will be needed before volunteers may move into the facility.

During public comment several residents urged the Board to resolve environmental matters promptly to avoid longer service interruptions and to balance remediation with continuity of EMS services; commenters also raised concerns about vegetation and visibility at certain roadway intersections near the site. The Board declined to create a separate EMS Building Project Environmental Review Committee and instead unanimously appointed Joe Palmieri to the existing EMS Building Committee with added responsibilities: review known conditions at 444 and 448 Sport Hill Road, evaluate remediation and compliance options (including whether to obtain a second opinion from a Licensed Environmental Professional), and deliver a written report or proposal to the Board within two weeks unless the Board extends that deadline.

The Board's next procedural steps include obtaining DEEP review and approval of the proposed remediation strategy and coordinating the multi‑party meeting the board requested. The Board also recorded other routine business during the session, including approval of tax refunds, consideration of a road materials bid recommendation for the Department of Public Works, and later adjournment at 10:00 p.m.