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Town to file incident report after methane detected in transfer-station monitoring well
Summary
CMA Engineers reported a methane reading spike to 7.1% in a transfer-station monitoring well (previously <0.1% in October); the board authorized the Town Administrator to sign and submit an incident report to NH DES and directed staff to pursue follow-up sampling and possible mitigation.
Town staff told the Board of Selectmen on March 2 that routine sampling at the town transfer station detected elevated methane in a monitoring well, and the board authorized the Town Administrator to submit an incident report to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES).
According to staff notes relayed at the meeting, CMA Engineers reported a methane concentration of 7.1% in the monitoring well; by comparison, sampling in October showed readings of less than 0.1%. Staff said the consultancy recommended filing an incident report within five days of the detection. "This is the same one we just need to fill out the incident report ASAP," staff said during the meeting.
Board members discussed possible causes and corrective options — for example, seasonal frost can trap landfill gases and cause higher readings during thaw — and noted options for additional monitoring or engineering remedies such as venting. The board voted 5-0 to authorize the Town Administrator to sign and submit the DES incident report, and staff said they will print, sign and deliver the filing promptly.
Selectmen asked staff to coordinate with on-site personnel and engineers to determine whether additional monitoring wells or mitigation measures are warranted pending DES review.
