Free Reply to Response to Motion - District Court of Connecticut - Connecticut

l Case 3:03-cv-00945-CFD Document 61-5 Filed 1 1/24/2003 Page 1 of 4
/,1 "/ A STATE OF CONNECTICUT For Further Information Contact:
PROTECTION Michael Harder, (860) 424-3704
it ‘ :1;, 7, Elm stm, Matthew Fritz, (860) 424-4100
\ Hanford. CT, 06106-5127
February 7, 2001
P R E S S R E L E A S E
DEP TO ATTEND MEETING ON HAMDEN MIDDLE SCHOOL
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will be attending a meeting
sponsored by Hamden Mayor Carl Amento on the status of sampling in the vicinity of the
Hamden Middle School. The meeting will be held on Thursday, February 8, 2001 at 7:00 p.m.
at the Hamden Middle School. At the meeting the DEP will provide an update on the sampling
program and outline future actions. .
"This meeting is an opportunity to update the public on the DEP’s sampling activities
around the middle school, especially the residential area," said Michael Harder, Director in DEP’s
Water Management Bureau. "We also see this as an opportunity for the DEP to hear from the
residents and learn more about the site’s history, which will greatly assist our sampling and _
remediation efforts.” U _
Over the last month, the DEP has been collected soil samples from residential properties
and parks around Hamden Middle School. While analysis of the residential sampling is not
complete, preliminary results are available for soil samples taken from Rochford Field, the
Rochford Field Annex, and the Newhall Street School.
Analysis of those samples indicates the presence of contaminants, including ash and
- hydrocarbons, more than a foot below the surface. There appears to be no contamination in
the top foot of soil. The DEP has already collected additional surface samples to confirm the
fields are safe for use and will be working with Department of Public Health to assess if there a;
the risk to the public. All the sampling information will be used to develop a cleanup plan that
might include capping of the contaminated area. A _ _ g {
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I Case 3:03-cv-00945—Cl:D Document 61-5 Filed 11/24/2003 Page 2 of 4
HAMDEN MS MEETING — Page 2
"There appears to be no contamination at the surface where the public could come in
direct contact with it," said Harder. "However, there is evidence of contamination below the
surface which will have to be addressed through a cleanup action once the full extent of the
contamination is determined."
The sampling of the grass strip between the sidewalk and the street at residences around
the middle school has been completed with results expected in several weeks. In the upcoming
weeks, the DEP will be working with US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to delineate
the extent of contamination, whether further sampling is necessary, and the type of cleanup
required. I
In addition to the further sampling, the DEP will expand the sampling program to the E
soccer fields behind the school. DEP is also researching information at to the potential
responsible parties. Toward that aim, the DEP is also seeking information from the general I
public who might be familiar with the site’s history. Anyone with information as to past waste
disposal activities at the site or in the surrounding neighborhood is encouraged to contact
Shannon Windisch of the DEP at (860) 424-3546.
#####

Case 3:03-cv-00945-CFD Document 61-5 Filed 11/24/2003 Page 3 of 4
. if A 1 4 STATE OF CONNECTICUT For Further information Contact:
»_ ·,,e DEPARTMENT OF _
1 ( , I . ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Mike Harder, (860) 424-3704
tl L-_-;‘_,....-.: ' yg Elm Sy". Matthew Fritz, (860) 424-4100
\ j_ —· R ummm, cr, 06106-5127
i January 9, 2001
P R E S S R E L E A S E
DEP TO INITIATE SAMPLING PROGRAM IN AREA AROUND
HAMZDEN MIDDLE SCHOOL
Informational Meeting this Evening on Sampling Program
The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced that
the Department will begin sampling soil in the residential area near the Hamden Middle School to
determine whether homes were built over waste materials. The DEP will begin sampling starting
Wednesday, January 10, 2001. Prior to initiating the sampling, the DEP will attend an
informational meeting scheduled by Mayor Carl Amento this evening, Tuesday, January 9,
2001 at 7 p.m. at the Christian Tabernacle Baptist Church at 449 Newhall Street in
Hamden.
"This sampling is an important step to determine whether these residential homes were
built over any waste materials,” said Mike Harder, Director in DEP’s Water Management Bureau.
· “T0 get this effort underway as soon as possible, the DEP will be initially sampling grassy areas
adjacent to the streets. This information will help us determine whether a more extensive
sampling program needs to be undertaken, but in the meantime, we need to get a sense of whether
or not these residences were built over waste materials and if so, what kinds of wastes were
involved. We understand the residents need to get an answer to this question"
To carry out the sampling as soon as possible, the DEP will be sampling street right-of-
ways (primarily the grass strip between the sidewalk and the street) rather than delay the
sampling by developing an intricate plan.
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» Case 3:03-cv-00945-CFD Document 61 -5 Filed 1 /24/2003 Page 4 of 4
HAMDEN MIDDLE SCHOOL — Page 2 H
This immediate round of sampling will assist the DEP in determining if there is any ' I
waste material beyond the grounds of the middle school and adjacent parks. Based on the results
of this sampling, the DEP will determine whether any further sampling and subsequent remedial
action is necessary. The sampling will take approximately one week with the results expected
back by late January or early February. The DEP personnel conducting the sampling may be
outtitted in white sampling suits. The suits are being wom mainly as protection against the
weather and to keep clothing clean.
At the meeting this evening, the DEP will outline the elements ofthe sampling program,
and will also answer any questions the public has on the sampling and what the next steps will be.
"This is an opportunity for the public to leam about what is going to be happening in
their neighborhood," said DEP’s Harder. "We strongly encourage the public to attend and ask
questions and help us do ourjobs to address the contamination in and around Hamden Middle
School.”
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