Easton selects low bidder for EMS site cleanup; town seeks Brownfield loan

First Selectman Dan Lent told the Easton Board of Selectmen on July 2 that three bids were received for soil remediation at the former EMS building site and that Strategic Environmental Services (SES) was selected as the lowest responsible bidder. Updated engineering estimates, Lent said, reduced the anticipated volume of contaminated soil that will require removal, and a proposed green septic system should further limit excavation needs.

Lent also said the town has applied for an EPA/MetroCOG Brownfield revolving loan that would be forgiven if the project is completed successfully. He told the board that staff is preparing to publicly release the remediation documentation to provide transparency on the scope, bids and proposed cleanup timeline. The board reiterated that no town staff or EMS personnel will occupy the building until remediation is complete and a Certificate of Occupancy is issued.

The Health Department determined that a temporary septic pump-out approach was not a practical permitting option, the update said. Lent told the board there is a lease renewal discrepancy raised by the Aspetuck Land Trust regarding the temporary EMS facility; he said he will continue discussions with the Land Trust to seek a mutually agreeable solution. Board member Nick D'Addario said he did not want to involve lawyers; no legal action was taken at the meeting.

The update described the procurement status and next steps rather than a final engineering plan. Town staff indicated public release of remediation paperwork is forthcoming so residents can review the soil management plan and contractor selection. The board did not take a formal vote on the remediation project at this meeting.