EPA New England Press Releases

EPA TO BEGIN CLEAN UP AT GILBERT & BENNET LAGOON WASTE SITE

Contact: Alice Kaufman, EPA Community Affairs Office, (617) 918-1064

For immediate release: November 21, 2000; Release # 00-11-7

Boston - EPA will begin work next week on a $2,000,000 clean up at an industrial waste site in Georgetown, CT. Located off North Main Street in Georgetown (Redding), the approximate 6 acre lagoon was used as a waste disposal area for the Gilbert & Bennet Manufacturing Company until 1987. Waste containing lead and zinc from the company's wire fence manufacturing operations were disposed of in the lagoons.

Beginning November 27, EPA contractors will conduct detailed soil sampling at the site to determine the extent of contamination on the surface of the site. Contractors dressed in impermeable, white tyvek suits will collect samples and send them to an environmental laboratory for analysis.

"These are not chemicals to take lightly," said Mindy S. Lubber, EPA New England regional administrator. "Our job is to make sure that children and others are not exposed to chemicals that may cause health problems later in life. Our first step in the cleanup is making sure that people don't have access to the site where they can come in contact with contaminated soils."

As part of the cleanup efforts, EPA will:

• Secure the site to prevent unauthorized access. This may include repairing or upgrading existing fences as needed. The agency may provide security service during non-working hours to ensure adequate site surveillance.
  
  
• Depending on the findings from the soil study, EPA may excavate and dispose of additional contaminated soils and/or construct a protective cap over the area to ensure that people do not come in contact with contaminated soils.

"Work will begin next week. I expect it will take until late spring to complete," said Ted Bazenas, EPA's site manager, called an on-scene coordinator.

 

1. TITLE: EPA TO BEGIN CLEAN UP AT GILBERT & BENNET LAGOON WASTE SITE
   
   
2. ABSTRACT:EPA will begin work next week on a $2,000,000 clean up at an industrial waste site in Georgetown, CT. Located off North Main Street in Georgetown (Redding), the approximate 6 acre lagoon was used as a waste disposal area for the Gilbert & Bennet Manufacturing Company until 1987. Waste containing lead and zinc from the company's wire fence manufacturing operations were disposed of in the lagoons.
   
   
3. PURPOSE: Public Information
   
   
4. ORIGINATOR: Regional Administrator's Office
   
   
5. PUBLICATION DATE: 11/21/2000
   
   
6. ACCESS CONSTRAINTS: N/A
   
   
7. AVAILABILITY: N/A
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   b. Order Process:
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8. COVERAGE: N/A
   
   
9. TIME PERIOD OF COVERAGE: N/A
   
   
10. POINT OF CONTACT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
    Alice Kaufman
    Office of the Regional Administrator
    EPA New England
    1 Congress Street, Suite 1100 (RAA)
    Boston, MA 02114-2023
    617-918-1064
    
    
11. RESPONSIBLE PARTY:
    Alice Kaufman, EPA Press Office (617-918-1064)
    Office of the Regional Administrator
    
    
12. DATE OF CREATION: 11/22/2000
    
    
13. AGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: N/A
    
    
14. EXPIRATION DATE: 12/22/2000