Arsenic, Lead Elevated In Gould Manor Park; Remediation Needed

FAIRFIELD, CT — Arsenic and lead levels in soil at Gould Manor Park are above the residential standard, according to test results released Tuesday by the town of Fairfield. The new information comes after previous tests confirmed the presence of asbestos shingles, barium and lead along a stretch of sidewalk at the park, which was evaluated in connection with an investigation of the town public works yard and the company contracted to run it.

"... The areas alongside the sidewalk on Holland Hill Road adjacent to Gould Manor Park will be cordoned off until the area is remediated," according to a statement from the town. "The sidewalk itself, however, will remain open as it is safe to use."

Fairfield officials are working with a specialist to determine the remediation plan.

Barium found at the site was below the residential standard, a memo from Health Department Director Sands Cleary stated.

Gould Manor Park was tested for contaminants after Fairfield police and the state's attorney requested earlier this month that the site be evaluated due to concerns that contaminated fill from the public works yard was used for a 2013-14 sidewalk improvement project. Since those initial tests were announced, the town has named 19 additional sites as high-priority testing locations, including nine schools, as well as fields and other facilities.

All the priority testing sites received material from the public works yard between 2013 and 2016, when contractor Julian Development was operating the yard. Additional locations will be identified for testing as the town continues to review public works records.

Fairfield Public Schools Superintendent Mike Cummings said he doesn't anticipate the possible contamination will delay the start of the school year, which is expected to begin Aug. 29. However, the school district may need to close fields until testing or remediation is completed, he said, and the district is prepared to limit recess or hold it indoors if needed.

"Our top priority is always the safety of kids and staff," he said.

The Parks and Recreation Department is taking a wait-and-see approach while the remaining high-priority sites are tested, according to Director Anthony Calabrese. The Parks and Recreation Commission is scheduled to discuss the potentially contaminated sites at its meeting Wednesday. Results for some of the sites could be available as soon as Thursday.

"It will all depend on the test results," Calabrese said. "Obviously safety's paramount."

Fairfield hired Julian Development in 2013 to run its public works yard and reduce the size of a pile of leftover project material on the property from 40,000 cubic yards. Over the course of the three-year contract, the pile more than doubled in size, and days before the contract was set to end, contamination was discovered on the property. After conservation officials said the transportation and dumping of contaminated material could have violated state or federal law, police opened an investigation.

Director of Public Works Joe Michelangelo, Superintendent of Public Works Scott Bartlett and Julian Companies Owner Jason Julian were arrested earlier this month and are accused of crimes including larceny, forgery and dumping. The majority of the crimes are alleged to have occurred during the years Julian Development was under contract to operate the yard on Richard White Way. Both Michelangelo and Bartlett were recently placed on leave from their town jobs.

In addition to the criminal case, Fairfield has sued Julian for about $3 million in costs associated with the yard and Julian has sued the town for defamation.