FAIRFIELD —The Town of Fairfield has hired the Reading, Mass., engineering firm Weston & Sampson to begin environmental testing at the fill pile (aka former Aggregate Recycling Facility) starting April 6, and continuing through the third week of May. Geotechnical crews will be on site to conduct groundwater testing, investigate sink holes and drill into existing wells to evaluate potential environmental impacts.
The town is following a plan that has been reviewed by the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and will help inform decision-making on remediation options. The fill pile was a stockpile managed by Julian Enterprises from 2013-2016, where hazardous materials were reportedly dumped. The placing of the contaminated materials led to arrests, including the contractor Jason Julian (sentenced to 18 months in prison for dumping), Scott Bartlett, former DPW superintendent (sentenced to 4 years in prison) and Joseph Michelangelo, former DPW director, (sentenced to 6 months in prison).
Crews will be working on the pile adjacent to the town’s transfer station on Richard White Way with GeoProbe rigs, Hollow Stem Auger (HAS) rigs, excavators, and groundwater monitoring wells, collecting soil and groundwater samples to investigate the materials historically deposited in the fill pile. Initial assessment of the fill pile and wetlands was previously performed by Weston & Sampson and no immediate concerns were identified. The current investigation is the next step in determining environmental impacts.
“This testing is a crucial step toward responsibly addressing the fill pile and determining the best methods for remediation,” said First Selectperson Christine Vitale. “Our priority is ensuring that the pile is managed in full accordance with state and federal environmental standards, in the best interests of the community, and protective of human health and the environment.”
Residents living near the site may notice drilling equipment on the pile, as well as work crews arriving and departing in trucks. There may be noise associated with the drilling as the borings extend as much as 60 feet deep. The drilling will be restricted to Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. No material will be removed from the site.
While not required by the plan, dust monitoring will be performed during any intrusive work (sampling that penetrates into the subsurface or disturbs surface materials). Monitors will be moved based on wind direction and weather conditions to ensure complete safety for the surrounding neighborhood. If any impacts are detected, mitigation will be addressed with the regulatory agencies.
Next steps in the pile remediation will be announced once results are evaluated with state and federal environmental partners. More information and FAQs can be found here.
