Public Hearing Scheduled For Western Middle School Soil Remediation

GREENWICH, CT — Greenwich Public Schools is moving to the next step for the Western Middle School soil remediation project.

Residents are encouraged to attend a public hearing on Jan. 11 at 6 p.m., at WMS, either virtually or in-person, with both the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT-DEEP) and the CT Environmental Protection Agency to share thoughts and ask questions about the project.

Residents are also being urged to email comments to CT-DEEP regarding the Remedial Action Plan (RAP) and why the project is important to the community.

The public can send comments directly to CT-DEEP's remediation project manager Jeffrey Wilcox at jeff.wilcox@ct.gov.

The environmental investigation and remediation activities at WMS began in 2016. Since then, more than 600 soil samples have been collected and 10 groundwater monitoring wells have been installed and sampled periodically at the site.

Contaminants of concern at concentrations above regulatory criteria in soil include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), volatile organic compounds, semi-volatile organic compounds, metals and pesticides.

No exceedances of applicable criteria for groundwater or soil vapor criteria were identified at the site, so remedial planning has focused on soil remediation.

On Aug. 1, the school district submitted an RAP for cleanup of the site under the state's Voluntary Remediation Program.

The cleanup plan includes excavating and disposing of approximately 58,000 tons of contaminated soil; constructing synthetic turf athletic fields and surrounding concrete asphalt areas and grassed landscaped areas; and long-term monitoring and maintenance of the remedy.

Cleanup activities are expected to begin in summer 2023, contingent upon regulatory approval, according to this month's update from the school district.

A copy of the RAP can be reviewed here.

The public hearing on Jan. 11 can be accessed via Zoom at this link, or through the phone at 312-626-6799, webinar ID: 86572888389.

Written comments can be submitted to:

Jeffrey Wilcox, CT DEEP
79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106
Jeff.wilcox@ct.gov