Framework of Agreement Reached on Comprehensive Raymark Cleanup Plan

Stratford officials and state and federal agencies have reached agreement on the framework of a comprehensive Raymark cleanup plan.

Getting the framework of an agreement in place has been years in the making.

The highlights of the consensus plan include:

• Conceptual approach which addresses all Raymark waste in residential, commercial, and recreational properties, including Ferry Creek and groundwater emanating from the former Raymark facility.
• More than 50 percent of Raymark waste will be removed from Stratford, including the most hazardous of the excavated waste.
• Conceptual plan has support among local, state and federal elected officials and regulatory agencies.
• Cost is likely to exceed $100 million, with a formalized plan to be presented to EPA for funding later this year after public hearing process.
• Coordination of all activities with Stratford Health Department.
• Keeping any remediation activities as far away from abutting neighbors as possible
• Constructing vertical barriers between residents and the construction, with particular consideration to the area between the former Raymark ball field and abutting neighbors.
• Real time particulate sampling which can immediately identify and correct any potential problem.
• State of the art dust suppression throughout the construction project, including a consideration of utilizing enclosures to manage material within the largest construction areas.
• Fully secure and covered dump trucks moving materials both for on-site and off-site disposal.
• Creating traffic pattern improvements near the former Raymark ball field, to minimize truck traffic in the neighborhoods during and after the cleanup.
• Restrictions on hours of work in areas close to residential neighborhoods, likely to include maximum 12–hour days.
• Drainage improvements for areas adjacent to former Raymark ball field
• Expeditiously completing cleanup at each property with a goal of no more than two years of construction/disruption at each location (more construction seasons may be necessary at the consolidation area).
• Regular neighborhood meetings before, during and after the construction project
• Early notification and extensive coordination with property owners in advance of cleanup on their properties.
• Neighbors adjacent to properties subject to construction will also have early notification and coordination.

Stratford Mayor John Harkins told the Stratford Star that it was “rewarding” to have reached this point and that “all sides had to compromise in agreeing to this framework and I thank all of the stakeholders for working for the best interest of the community.”

U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro told the Star that while it is still “very early in the process” and “nothing is written in stone” she is encouraged by the progress that has been made and hopes that “by engaging the greater community as we’re doing now that we can continue to move forward.”

Read more at the Stratford Star here.