Date: Fri 10-Nov-1995

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDREA

Quick Words:

Cooper-Apple-Blossom-pollution

Full Text:

Health Director Hopes For Better Communication With Residents With

Contaminated Water

B Y A NDREA Z IMMERMANN

During a press conference held November 7, Health District Director Mark

Cooper recounted what led to discovery of well contamination in the Apple

Blossom Lane area in 1992, and he cited all the steps that had been taken

since that time. He also discussed future plans, and hopes for increased

communication with affected residents.

The purchasing authority of the town recently approved the selection of the

environmental consulting firm SEA Consultants, Inc., and has made the

recommendation for hiring to the state Commissioner of Environmental

Protection and Commissioner of Public Health and Addiction Services. By

November 30, the firm is required to submit to the state information on the

scope of work for the investigation and study.

Although "the logical, sensible, and most economical solution" would be to

provide town water to affected residents, that decision will have to be

determined by the state based on information from the consultant's study, said

Mr Cooper.

"One of the reasons [this firm] was chosen was because they stressed the need

to communicate with the public," said the director. The consultants are

working on a newsletter that will be comprised of their own information, as

well as that from the DEP and Health District regarding this particular issue.

"It will be sent to everyone in the [Apple Blossom Lane] area ASAP," he said.

A public informational meeting will be held at 7:30 pm on December 5, in

Newtown High School auditorium. Representatives from the DEP, Health District,

and possibly a state epidemiologist will offer insight and answer any

questions about well contamination concerning residents. Mr Cooper also

invites representatives of the affected area to "any meeting he attends"

regarding this issue.

"I've had many meetings with individual property owners and have spoken with

others on the phone" to explain results, he said. They have not previously

scheduled a community meeting because they didn't know what all the data meant

in terms of the "larger picture" and did not have a solution, he said. The

individuals with well contamination he spoke with indicated that there would

be no point to a public meeting until the district had some answers, he added.

Although publicity through articles in The Bee has raised concerns, Mr Cooper

said one positive thing that resulted is people have come forward with

information which may help with the state's continuing investigation to find a

source of the contaminants. The town will continue with the schedule mandated

by the state to provide a study and propose a permanent solution.

"The town has met and exceeded each time table set forth in the [state's

consent] order," said Mr Cooper. "The Town of Newtown, Bob [Cascella's]

office, Board of Selectmen, and Legislative Council acted with the utmost

concern for the citizens and with great speed to facilitate reaching a 'final'

solution to this problem."

In April of 1995 when the state investigation determined Insilco was probably

not the legally responsible party for contaminants found in the Apple Blossom

Lane area, the issue went beyond the parameters of the local Health District

to include actions required by town officials, according to Mr Cooper. "Under

state statute...when no responsible party can be identified, a town or

municipality can be given a consent order to qualify for a state grant to

facilitate a solution for affected property owners. This was the direction the

DEP was leaning," he said. Local officials acted quickly to secure a $500,000

special appropriation from the town to pay for a study, he added.

"The record speaks for itself," said the director, pointing to a box of

papers. "These [public records] are the district's files, introductory

letters, letters of result notification, test results, etc., going back to

1992."