Regarding Oil Situation at Burbank
12/15/03
On Friday [December 12th], it was reported to the Fire Department that oil was flowing into Clay Pit Pond. The Fire Department traced the oil through the storm drain system back to the underground oil tank at the Burbank School. At the school, there was no surface evidence of what was happening underground.
Upon seeing what was happening on Friday, Town officials immediately notified the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MA DEP) and emergency response activities were initiated, both at Clay Pit Pond and at the oil tank at the School. The remaining oil was taken from the tank and moved to a tank with available space at the High School. An oil delivery truck was brought in and positioned next to the school to be used as a temporary tank to provide oil to the boiler room to keep heat in the school building.
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection requires a Licensed Site Professional (LSP) to be in responsible charge of environmental site cleanup activities. On Friday afternoon, Tom Gatzunis, the Town’s Director of Community Affairs, notified Joel Mooney, to get involved in the activities. Joel Mooney is a town resident, a Professional Engineer, an LSP, and a Senior Associate with the engineering and environmental consulting firm of Haley & Aldrich, Inc. As of Friday, the firm of Haley & Aldrich began to provide services to the Town to assess, monitor, and document the remedial efforts, with Joel Mooney, as LSP, personally overseeing the clean-up operation.
Over the weekend, Haley & Aldrich performed air quality testing within six classrooms, the corridors and gymnasium adjacent to the parking lot side of the building where the oil tank is located. All air testing came back negative indicating that the indoor air has not been impacted by the oil release. Indoor air sampling and testing will continue this week to monitor this situation.
The driveway and the staff parking lot have been closed all weekend as workers excavate around the tank to determine the source and extent of the oil leak. It is likely that the driveway and parking lot will remain closed for the indefinite future until the clean-up is completed. The door facing the parking lot will be used only as an emergency exit, with protective fencing set up between the walkway and the work around the oil tank. We will continue to monitor air quality as the clean-up operation continues.
To address the situation, the Town has formed a Response Team including the Fire Chief and Assistant Chief; Tom Gatzunis of Community Development; the Town Administrator’s Office; Donna Moultrup, the Health Officer; Pat Brusch of the Warrant Committee; Joseph Curro of the Conservation Commission; the Superintendent of Schools and other school officials. Coordinating with Joel Mooney and the resources of Haley & Aldrich, the Response Team will plan the clean-up actions and be responsible for environmental regulatory compliance.
We expect that the corrective actions will extend beyond the upcoming holiday vacation. We will keep you updated as further actions are planned.
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