The Site, owned by Cobb’s Auto Body, Inc., is located at 37-41 Perkins Street in the City of Bangor (population 35,000), Maine. The main building is identified as 37 Perkins Street and has housed Cobb’s Bumper Company, Inc., d/b/a Cobb’s Custom Chroming from 1977-2000. The garage, which is currently vacant, is identified as 41 Perkins Street.
The Site historically has been used for auto body repair since 1928 under various owners. More recently it had been used for chrome plating and stripping. The facility consists of a two-story cinder block constructed structure with an apartment on the 2nd floor (main building) and a garage on a 0.4 acre parcel of land. The Site was operated as a legally grandfathered business in a residentially zoned area. The closest house is 40-50 feet from the rear of the building. The Site is bounded to the north and east by private residences, to the south by an auto body repair shop and to the west by Perkins Street and a private residence. The facility is inactive, and without fire protection. The property is not fenced and is accessible to the public.
The Site has equipment and chemical typical of metal plating facilities. There are vats, drums, bottles, and materials such as acids, caustics, cyanides and wastes.
The owner was not able to provide appropate hazardous removal. However later they contributed to the cleanup effort by removing old vehicles and non-hazardous debris.
EPA has initiated a removal action and their contractors will be on site starting March 7, 2005.
