Lawyer Presents DEP, Superfund Site Agreement To Commissioners

During the Haverford Township Commissioners work session meeting on Monday night, the township’s lawyer presented an agreement between the commonwealth’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the township.

David Brooman reiterated to the board of commissioners that he was brought to them in June 2007 to evaluate the feasibility of using the site for township use and what, if any, environmental impacts the site might offer and how it may or may not restrict the township’s ability to use the land.

“After reviewing it and looking at the documentation as well as the environmental reports of the property, together with the county, that we didn't think it would impair (township’s use of the land),” Brooman said.

The land will be used for the .

Brooman explained that an agreement has been drawn up between the DEP, the YMCA and the township.

“This agreement basically insulates you from any state-related liability associated what is the superfund site and that includes the property of the bubble gum factory. And that protects you from anything coming onto your property from the bubble gum factory, which is basically two different plumes of contaminations, one, dealing with and also there is a less significant, called volatile organic compound plume, that's coming from the auto-body shops (sic) what was the natural wood preserves.

“This provides the protection for both. It is offered to you by DEP. The YMCA and I each negotiated it.  (And for the sum of $3,000), you get out of under any and all any liability to the state,” Brooman stated. 

He asked that a resolution to be adopted to authorized Larry Gentile, township manager, and William F. Wechsler, township president, to sign the agreement on behalf of the township at the next meeting.

The board members had no questions for Brooman.

During a Haverford Township Commissioner’s special meeting that took place after the work session, the commissioners approved a contract to reline three sewer mains on Avondale and E. Golf View roads in Havertown. 

“To award the relining of three sewer mains to Tri-State Grouting, Bear, ED, with a base bid amount of $26,790 and a total alternative bid of $12,925 for a total of $39,715; contingent upon their execution of the contract and supply of the required bonds and insurance,” read 6th Ward Commissioner Larry Holmes from a revised agenda.

He also read to the commissioners that the contractor would be paid from an already approved $40,000 grant, which the money needs to be spent by June 30 of this year.

The grant is given to the township by the DEP, stated a letter to Gentile from David Pennoni, PE and township engineer.

According to the letter, Tri-State Grouting was the only bidder for the project.

The commissioners approved the contract.

The letter and the tabulation of bids accompany this article as PDFs, right below the pictures.