Brookhaven Notebook: National Lab Construction Progresses, Town Landfill Blamed for Smell at School

Brookhaven National Laboratory announced this week that its powerful new x-ray microscope – one which measures almost half a mile in circumference – has passed the halfway mark in its construction.

That microscope, known as National Synchrotron Light Source II or NSLS-II for short, is expected to be research-ready in 2015. The Department of Energy began constructing the 400,000-square-foot, $912 million facility in 2009. The lab said in a statement that NSLS-II "will enhance national and energy security and help drive abundant, safe and clean energy technologies."

Even as construction progresses, however, the lab is facing the prospect of massive layoffs. for the federal Office of Science – which funds the NSLS-II project and others at Brookhaven Lab – threaten the future of more than 900 BNL employees.

A spokesperson for the lab said this week that the specific impact of federal budget proceedings on NSLS-II won't be clear until lawmakers approve the 2011 budget.

Town Landfill Blamed for Horrible Smell at School

Supervisor Mark Lesko on Thursday suspended the transportation of bio-solid material to the town landfill on Horseblock Road in Yaphank following reports of an overwhelmingly horrible smell at Frank P. Long Intermediate School in Bellport, which is located just over three miles from the landfill.

"We have no indications that this material is hazardous in any way, but out of an abundance of caution, we have suspended deliveries until the situation can be clarified, more information can be gathered, and an investigation of the circumstances can be completed," Lesko said in a statement.

Town fire marshals and Suffolk County police tested air samples taken at the school on Thursday, which yielded no health threats. Lesko said the town has contacted the Department of Environmental Conservation for help in further investigating the incident.

The school was not evacuated during the investigation on Thursday. Administrators in the South Country School District did not return requests for comment Thursday and Friday.

An email that circulated among members of the community following the incident referred to the landfill as "Mount Trashmore" and claimed students at the school have recently had their recess periods cut short due to the smell. It urged residents to call the town and log complaints about the landfill.

"It is time that the Town did something to this dump," the email read. "Our air is fouled and our ground water also. It was supposed to be closed years ago and yet it grows and gets more toxic."

Town-wide Beautification Events Planned

Town officials this week announced two events which they hope will beautify Brookhaven. The fourth annual "Great Brookhaven Cleanup" is set for April 16 and the "Great Brookhaven Plant-in" will be held June 4, both at various to-be-determined locations throughout the town.

Last year the two events drew more than 4,000 volunteers who picked up litter and completed other tasks to renew the town's many parks, roadways and waterfront areas, according to a statement released Monday. The events are planned in conjunction with Keep America Beautiful, Inc., which coordinates similar efforts in other municipalities across the country.

"Last year, we exceeded our goals and this year we look forward to wider participation," said councilman Tim Mazzei, who serves as the town board's liaison to the Division of Waste Management.