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Pinchin rep: No PFAS found; A.C. Lawrence cleanup excavation to start this summer
Summary
Pinchin representative John Ouellette told the Winchester Selectboard that ground testing at the A.C. Lawrence property detected no PFAS. He said Northside Excavation will begin an initial dig of an estimated 1,300 cubic yards of material, with full site cleanup projected for late August or early September subject to lab results.
John Ouellette, a representative for the environmental firm Pinchin, told the Winchester Selectboard on May 13 that ground testing at the A.C. Lawrence property did not detect PFAS. He said Northside Excavation will perform the initial excavation and that the work will take three to four weeks for the first dig, with final completion estimated for late August or early September depending on test results of removed material.
“The 30-day review runs out on Wednesday, May 20, 2026,” Ouellette said, and added that an estimated 1,300 cubic yards of material may be removed from depths around 14–18 feet. Selectman Jack Marsh asked whether Ouellette had an idea of how much material would be removed; Ouellette repeated the 1,300-cubic-yard figure as an estimate. Selectman Theresa Sepe asked whether an identified $1.1 million grant would cover the full cleanup; Ouellette said that is the hope but that testing of removed material will determine scope and costs.
The presentation focused on next steps: excavation by Northside Excavation, laboratory testing of excavated material to determine disposal requirements, and regulatory review that runs through May 20. The stated goal is to return the property to productive use once decontamination is complete.
The Selectboard did not take a formal vote on cleanup funding or contracts during the meeting; discussion centered on timing, testing, and the grant that town officials hope will pay for remediation. The board will receive further updates as excavation and testing proceed.
