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.

During the week of 5/20/08:

1.  Cleared and grubbed the area surrounding the mill building and installed erosion controls.
2.  Repaired security fencing surrounding the site and installed a new gate.
3.  Began demolition of mill building on 5/22/08.
4.  Began segregation of building debris on 5/22/08.

During the weeks of 5/26/08 and 6/2/08:

1.  Completed building demolition on 5/28/08.
2.  Continued segregation of building debris.

During the week of 6/9/08:

1.  Segregation of building debris completed on 6/9/08.
2.  Began T&D of building debris.

During the week of 6/16/08:

1.  Began excavation of heavily contaminated soils to mitigate surface contact threat on 6/16/08.
2.  Completed T&D of building debris on 6/20/08.
3.  Completed excavation of heavily contaminated soils on 6/20/08.

During the week of 6/23/08:

1.  Began backfilling of basement area of mill building and excavated areas with clean fill.

During the week of 6/30/08:
1.  Continue backfilling of basement and excavated areas with clean fill.

During the week of 7/7/08:

1.  Began T&D of contaminated soil on 7/8/08.
2.  Completed T&D of contaminated soil on 7/11/08.
3.  Completed backfill of basement and excavated areas on 7/11/08.

1)       Repairing response-related damage.
2)       Decontaminating of equipment and demobilizing of equipment and personnel from the site.

Plan final site walk with representative of MassDEP, Berkshire Regional Planning, and the City of Pittsfield.