United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region I
POLLUTION REPORT

Subject: 

The Site encompasses a residential area surrounding the former Temple Stuart Superfund Removal Site on Holman Street in Baldwinville, Town of Templeton, Worcester County, Massachusetts.  Central geographic coordinates are approximately north 42 36' 54” latitude, and west 72 04' 33” longitude. The Site area is about 1/2 mile north of the village center and consists of 67 residential properties along Winchester, Holman, Harris, Edgar, Elm, Chestnut, Pine, Beech, Walnut, Forest, Fisher, Mason and Bridge Streets; Wilson Court; and Winchendon Road.

Contaminated residential surface soils were discovered when soil sampling for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at the adjacent Temple Stuart Superfund Removal Site was performed up to its property line; PCB concentrations still exceeded Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) regulatory concentrations for residential areas. Sampling of surrounding residential properties in 2003 confirmed existing PCB concentrations in surficial soils above acceptable MassDEP standards at 28 properties.  Removal actions at these properties began in August 2004. A second round of sampling in 2004 indicated PCB concentrations existed above MassDEP levels at 22 of 26 properties investigated.  Removal at these properties began in April 2005.  A phase 3 investigation was conducted in October 2005; of 36 properties sampled, 12 required removal.  The Phase 3 removal began on April 17, 2006.  Investigation of the fourth and final group of properties followed by subsequent removal actions also began on April 17.  The removal of PCB contaminated soils was completed in November 2006.  A total of 113 residential properties were sampled; removal was performed at 67 properties.  Work remaining at the site includes landscaping to be completed in Spring 2007.

Investigation and sampling at 16 Phase 4 properties was completed.  The Phase 4 investigation completed the determination of the project scope, in terms of finalizing the number of properties to undergo removal.

Removal actions on the final six Phase 4 properties began on June 16, 2006.  Excavation was completed on November 2, 2006.  Restoration of Phase 3 and Phase 4 properties continued throughout fall 2006.  Since the general process of removal for the project involved the removal of trees and stumps in areas to be excavated, four of the properties which underwent removal actions in Phase 4 were significantly more logistically challenging than typical residential lots.  
On these properties, approximately 400 trees were removed by ERRS or a subcontractor, chipped and shipped off site.  Three of these large properties are on a hill, with some excavated grid areas on the steep hillside.  One property is a forested wetland.  Accessing these areas required building a road extending into the rear portion of the properties.  The road was removed at the conclusion of the properties’ backfill and restoration.  

Due to additional funding requirements associated with the technical complexities outlined above, two further modifications to the ERRS task order of $200,000 each were approved on August 23 and September 8, 2006.  

As the Phase 4 work neared completion, access refusal issues at two properties required reconsideration.  One property had been sampled during Phase 1, and required removal.  The property owners withdrew access for removal, since a group of large trees would have to be cut down.  Upon further consideration, MassDEP decided that under the “Massachusetts Superfund” or 21E program, the property owners would be issued a Notice of Responsibility if access for removal was not granted to EPA.  After the owners were informed by MassDEP, the owners granted removal access, and the removal was completed on October 20, 2006.

The second property in question had refused site investigation access in 2004. It was surrounded by properties which had required and undergone removal actions. The MassDEP site manager and the OSC discussed the property’s uncertain status.  Following these discussions, and further consideration by EPA management and legal/enforcement staff, OSC Stanton met with the Town of Templeton Health Agent and members of the Templeton Board of Selectmen to discuss the access refusal.  The Health Agent volunteered to meet with the residents.  As a result, the property owners granted access for sampling and the subsequent required removal action.  Excavation and backfilling at this property was completed in November 2006.  Restoration of trees and shrubs at these two properties and inspection of plantings completed during 2006 will be scheduled during Spring 2007.

Shipping of PCB contaminated soils and debris was completed on November 7, 2006.  Over 15,000 tons of PCB contaminated soil and debris were shipped offsite for disposal.  A detailed waste stream summary will be provided in the final POLREP.
ERRS and START personnel and equipment demobilized from the site for the winter during the week of November 6, 2006.

A public information session was held on November 17, to mark the substantial completion of the project.  Members of the public, local government, and the press attended.  The local radio station interviewed OSC Stanton about the project scope and status on November 29.

Remobilization in Spring 2007 is planned, in order to complete site restoration activities.

The OSC is working with two remaining property owners to finalize their restoration plans.  

Inspection of 2006 trees and shrubs will also be completed in early 2007.  If necessary, additional funding to complete the project will be secured.

EPA’s regional laboratory continued to provide invaluable and flexible support throughout the investigation and removal sampling, often fulfilling requests on very short notice.

Continued use of a field GC remained central in obtaining quick, accurate sample results and supported the pace of excavation. Use of SCRIBE continues to enable the handling of large amounts of project data.

State, local and resident cooperation and teamwork with EPA contributed significantly to the successful completion of investigation and soil excavation.