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SPENCER – At its most recent meeting, the Board of Selectmen approved $28,300 for testing and reports associated with battery waste someone disposed of on town property.
Gary Magnuson of CMG Environmental Engineering noted that fencing was up around 10 Meadow Road where the dumping took place and was brought to his attention approximately one and a half years ago.
Magnuson said he initially hoped the battery casings were just all plastic. However, preliminary testing at the site found extremely high levels of lead and cadmium. For context, he explained the state has an acceptable level of 200 parts per million. The test showed levels as high as 70,000 parts per million.
“That is an imminent hazard,” Magnuson said.
He said while they know the immediate area is affected, they now must find out how much further that impact extends.
It is not just a matter of digging and disposing, but involves having to ensure the groundwater below it and the sediment and stream near it have not been impacted, Magnuson said.
If the problem is contained to just the immediate area of the dumping, it is about the size of the Board of Selectmen’s meeting room.
So far, CMG has submitted a report to Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection on its phase one investigation, which spells out what has been done and a plan of action for the future, he said.
Magnuson said he could not provide an accurate cost for cleanup until further testing and data collection is done on groundwater, sediment, surface water, etc.
“The goal is to get rid of it as solid waste, not hazardous,” if possible, according to Magnuson.
He explained it would cost about $170 per ton to dispose of material as solid waste versus $300 to $500 per ton as hazardous waste. If it is petroleum impacted waste, the cost would be $70 to $80 per ton.
Selectman Gary Woodbury asked how often wells would have to be tested. Magnuson said that work would be “miles away.” Once the drinking water source area is deemed clear and meets standards, well testing would be done quarterly, at a minimum, he replied.
To pay for the immediate testing, Town Administrator Jeff Bridges said the town would use money from the street light and gas and diesel accounts as well as from the Finance Committee’s reserve fund.
