United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region I
POLLUTION REPORT

Subject: 

The 50 East Mill Street Site (the Site) is located at 50 East Mill Street, in Pittsfield, Berkshire County, Massachusetts. It is located just south of the intersection of Henry Avenue and East Mill Street. The geographic coordinates of the Site, as measured from the approximate center of the property, are 42º 26′ 35.2″ north latitude and 73º 15′ 36.4″ west longitude. The Site is located in a predominantly residential area located approximately 0.5 mile south of downtown Pittsfield. It is bordered by Atwood Avenue and residential housing to the east, East Mill Street and residential housing to the north, and the West Branch of the Housatonic River to the west and south. Two buildings are present: a multi-story former mill building and a four-bay garage. The mill building and four-bay garage were or are connected to city utilities (water and sewer), with electrical power provided by overhead wire.

The former mill building had been significantly destroyed by an October 2004 fire and subsequent water damage. Sections of the building had collapsed; and much of the support structure (metal beams, etc.) had been noticeably compromised. The four-bay garage was vacant, although the interior showed signs of trespassing, including empty beer cans and cigarette butts. A small pile of soil is located approximately 100 feet north of the garage.   On September 15, 2007, another fire occurred in the mill building which caused more sections to collapse and further compromised the structure.

EPA OSC and SHAW RM conducted site walk on 5/1/2008. The scope of work steps were discussed and approved.

1)       Clearing, grubbing, and tree cutting of the area surrounding the mill building.
2)       Notifying DIGSAFE and have utilities marked out.
3)       Mobilizing of all support zone equipment and materials and establishing electrical and phone utilities.
4)       Repairing of security fencing surrounding the site and installing a new gate.
5)     Demolishing, segregating and disposing of the mill building to access the contamination.
6)       Removing and disposing of the identified contaminated soil.
7)       Performing any necessary additional sampling, analysis, characterization, and removal of hazardous substances as deemed necessary by the OSC.
8)       Identifying and characterizing waste streams and developing waste disposal profiles.
9)       Providing transportation and disposal of hazardous substances, including but not limited to lead-contaminated soil and contaminated demolition debris, at CERCLA-approved off-site disposal and recycling facilities in a safe and as cost-effective a manner as possible.
10)      Backfilling any areas where contaminated soils were removed with clean fill.
11)      Repairing response-related damage.
12       Decontaminating of equipment and demobilizing of all support zone areas.

Direct and coordinate with START and ERRS the ongoing removal action. In addition, coordinate efforts with MassDEP and the City of Pittsfield.