Batchelder Site A Concern—

Trails Committee Makes Progress With Caution

By Kendra Bobowick

“I have some concerns,” Swamp Road resident Karl Philippi began as he addressed the Parks and Recreation Commission earlier in February.

A part of a trails subcommittee, Mr Philippi lives adjacent to a proposed trail site that skirts the abandoned Batchelder property — once a smelting plant.

He distributed three-and-a-half pages to commission members detailing concerns he noted regarding Batchelder. His name and the signatures of seven other Swamp Road residents filled the remaining half page.

His paperwork is addressed to Newtown Health District Director Donna Culbert, and begins, “My property abuts the abandoned Batchelder aluminum smelting plant — a designated ‘hazardous waste’ site by the [Environmental Protection Agency].” He then cites a 1997 health consultation that found dust and dross on the property, levels of lead that represent a hazard, drums that “appeared to contain material,” and above ground storage tanks…the soil around the tanks was stained with “what appeared to be oil.”

He also noted Department of Environmental Protection domestic well samplings of private wells in the vicinity and accompanying recommendations to educate the community, continue to monitor private wells, and determine if contamination has migrated off site.

He asserts that “none of these recommendations have been implemented.”

His letter to the recreation commission and health department is first, to “ensure a follow-through of all recommendations.” The second is “with regard to the plan for continuation of the trail through the southwestern and western portion of the Batchelder property … we have real concern about the manner in which it is being advanced.” He feels fellow trails committee members have “dismissed” his thoughts.

Mr Philippi’s letter expresses concerns about infringement on a neighboring property, tree and stump removal, grading berms and disturbances that would “spread contamination.”

He told the commission earlier this month: “Batchelder is hazardous …”

The recreation commission, health district director, and land use office are all aware of problems with the Batchelder site, which has been a subject in town for years.

At the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting Chairman Ed Marks explained, “I assure you that we’ll move forward with the health department onboard and be sure we don’t disturb pollutants.”

Mr Philippi then raised an issue that he has mentioned in the past: privacy. “There is also the issue of privacy and security of residents.” Some feel the trail runs too close to their own backyards.

Recreation Director Amy Mangold offered, “We’ll definitely follow through and check with [Donna Culbert].”

Speaking next were trails committee members Tom Long and Ron Poidomani. Parts of their conversation with the recreation commission made clear some of Mr Philippi’s points of concern. Explaining plans to connect Newtown’s trail as a continuation of trails in Monroe, Mr Long described intended features: “We’ll keep intact mature growth. The trail could jog [around tree] rather than clear cut …” Per one young man’s Eagle Scout project, 600 feet of trail will be completed, with another 600 feet remaining that will end at a “whistle stop.” A marker used in the days when the railroad operated indicated that the conductor throw a whistle before a congested area. “The idea is to have the trail end in a way that the end is clear,” Mr Long explained. “Maybe use boulders, plantings, so it’s clear it’s not a place to wander off from.”

Noting that Mr Long is “anxious to get started,” Mr Marks said, “But, we need to be prudent, talk with the Health District, and others.” Until the situation with Batchelder is resolved, all access to the trail is through the Monroe side. They mentioned the contaminants including the slag left behind from the smelting plant, and Mr Marks said, “We’re only going to where we know we can make progress,” which does not include the Batchelder area. Working incrementally in safe areas, Mr Marks added, “We’ll stay away from Batchelder until we know it’s clean.”

Seeking confirmation, Mr Philippi asked, “Where will you stop? The whistle stop?”

“Yes,” Mr Long said.

Mr Marks added, “I am not comfortable going beyond the whistle stop until we know more.”

Health District Director Donna Culbert did receive Mr Philippi’s letter, she said late last week. She agreed that “[Mr Philippi] has prompted us, but that’s good.” The DEP will be performing well testing in the area, which it has done in that past. She currently is not concerned about the trail in proximity to the Batchelder site. The only potential risk would come from someone on that site and disturbed materials, she said.

Ms Culbert also agreed that tests should take place periodically. Tests did not reveal contamination the last time they were conducted.

Land Use Director George Benson is also aware of trails on property adjoining the Batchelder plant. “It is no secret that [the Batchelder property is] contaminated,” he said, but he recalls no part of the trail that crosses the property. “We wouldn’t let a trail through that would be harmful to people,” he said.