The approximately 0.4 acre site is located in a mixed commercial and residential area in Chesterfield, NH. The Site is comprised of two separate and abutting parcels, identified as Lots# 5 and 5.1 of Map 6A, Block D at the Chesterfield Tax Assessor's Office. The Site includes two main commercial buildings, one small building that formerly housed a portion of an industrial wastewater treatment facility and an on-site septic leachfield which was used by both parcels.
Historical records indicate the primary building was constructed around 1810 and was originally used for manufacturing textile and wood-based products until the 1930's. During the 1940's the buildings were used as a warehouse until it was sold to Electrosonics in 1966. Electrosonics manufactured printed circuit boards until 1984. It has been reported that Electrosonics discharged untreated wastewater contaminated with various volatile organic compounds (VOC's) and heavy metals into an on-site septic leachfield. This caused the leachfield to suffer frequent surface breakouts that resulted in waste effluent flows into Partridge Brook. Other reports have indicated that portions of the wastewater were discharged into the earthen basement floor of the original mill building. It is believed that for several years, after a newly built wastewater treatment facility was brought on-line in 1974, there were no discharges into the ground or the Partridge Brook.
After circuit board manufacturing operations ceased in 1984, different portions of the former Electrosonics facility were used for warehouse and office space by several owners/operators.
During the 1980's and 1990's, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) conducted several inspections and concluded that the leachfield periodically failed and resulted in discharges to Partridge Brook. DES sampling of on-site monitoring wells detected elevated levels of VOC's in the groundwater. The contaminated soils at the Electrosonics site have been identified as the source of the VOC's in the groundwater. DES installed point-of-entry (POE) treatment systems on four homes near the site which draw their drinking water from private wells. The POE systems are currently still operating in the four homes.
EPA initiated removal activities in November 2004. During mobilization to the Site several issues regarding the historical significance of the buildings impacted the planned demolition of the structure.
Due to the historical issue and the on set of winter, the buildings have been boarded up and the equipment has been demobilized.
Remobilization is planned for the spring of 2005.
During December all of the potentially hazardous wastes, primarily consisting of paint wastes, light balasts, etc. were removed from the buildings and were lab packed.
Photographs and measurements of the structures frame were acquired and provided to the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources (DHR)for evaluation of the buildings potential for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
The lab packs containing paint waste residual are planned to be shipped off site within the next two weeks.
Remobilization of the site is planned for the spring of 2005. EPA will continue discussions with DHR regarding the requirements of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and the applicability of those requirements relative to the removal action.
Resolution of the potential need to draft a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), as required under Section 106 of the NHPA, if DHR determines that the building is eligible for the Register, prior to the beginning of the 2005 construction season.
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