EBOL Public Documents from the East Boston Chelsea Creek Action Group
Meeting Minutes – October 25, 1999 Meeting commenced at 6:30PM ended 8:45PM Attending: Nancei Radicchi, Lucy DelMuto, Ana Maria Gomez, Anna Lane, Christopher Blackler, Madeline McComiskey, Arthur Cardoza, Karyl Stoia (Friends of Belle Isle Marsh), Fran Riley, Mark Warren, John Barbero, Helen Mullaney, Mary Ellen Welch, Indira Balkisson (EPA), Scott Darling (Conservation Law Foundation -CLF), Jim Hamilton (CLF), Anthony Catwin (CLF), Charlie Lord (Watershed Initiative), and Stacey Chacker (NOAH). Meeting Purpose: To hear presentation from Conservation Law Foundation (CLF), and decide if we’d like to them to work with us on Hess site. September and October 5th Meeting Minutes: Reviewed and accepted. Hess: Oct. 20th Hess meeting – Arthur, Charlie, Nancei and Stacey reported back: Meta Environmental’s letter to Hess (dated 10/26) serves as 10/20 meeting minutes. Before meeting, we held a pre-meeting to discuss/review the issues. Attending were Nancei Radicchi, Joe Battersby, Arthur Cardoza, Indira Balkissoon, Ken Fields (BSC Group), Maria Van Dusen (MA Urban Riverways), Charlie Lord, Irwin Silverstein (Meta Environmental), and Stacey Chacker, as well as two Hess representatives, and two representatives from Hess’ engineering firm – Foster Wheeler. Technical conversation (see Meta letter for details), focused on Phase II report (which they want to complete by mid-December) and Release Abatement Measure (RAM) Plan. RAM Plan – Hess plans to take out the most contaminated soils before 10/27. Will test soil and then remove to certified site. Should take up to 2 days. Will stop work if windy. Required to clean truck wheels. Call Stacey if they are not complying; she will call Hess. We asked Hess to do an environmental screening to see impact on environment and human health. Hess responded that they would look at level of contamination after RAM clean up to see if below the state standard (in which case they will not to the screening). Participants felt that Hess wants to be a good neighbor, work with EB-CCAG and do everything according to the law to clean up the site. Hess is talking about capping the site with soil (since it’s well below street level) and selling it. They might try to declare the site "not a threat" by placing an Activity Use Limitation (AUL) – basically a deed restriction about what could go on the site. EB-CCAG stated that don’t want to limit future uses. Hess representatives at meeting stated that they’re not dealing with the real estate issue. EB-CCAG made clear that we want to meet to discuss the final use (the real estate). Discussion followed about the land across from Hess site, and the Hess site. People are concerned with the future use of the site even if the site is capped. What will go there, what type of businesses, how far down will future owners dig to put something there, will that release contaminates. We would like to have Hess turn the land over to EB-CCAG; yet not likely. Boston Conservation Commission Oct. 20th hearing on Hess – Nancei reported: Nancei, Arthur, Joe and Stacey attended. Hess went before the Commission regarding their RAM Plan. The Commission is interested in filled in wetlands. They asked Hess about specific water drainage systems and what is going in the harbor. EB-CCAG made a statement that Hess is working with us, and we were fine with the RAM plan. The Conservation Commission gave Hess a list of conditions. Presentation by Conservation Law Foundation (CLF): by Jim Hamilton. CLF is a non-profit that has been working since 1966 to solve environmental problems that threaten the people, the natural resources and communities of New England. They have professionals working in law, science and economics. CLF works with private and public sectors with stakeholders (community, owners, developers, state and city government agencies) to build trust and relationships/ partnerships. Does this so that all can work towards a common goal focusing on an agreeable re-use of the site. CLF also can help with permitting process, finding potential developers, and making sure that the development is implemented. They have worked/are working in Lynn, Boston, and Chelsea (with our CCAG partners on Mill Creek). CLF would like to work with EB-CCAG to develop the Hess site to community’s satisfaction. CLF has a fee for service division that gets paid by owners or developers. In this case, CLF would request that Hess pay their fee. Discussion/Questions were as follows: EB-CCAG’s goals for the site include no parking, housing, airport related business; prefer open space, ecologically sound business, nothing with lots of trucks, mixed commercial is a potential. Ideas need to be further developed. Why would Hess pay CLF to do this? Response: If Hess doesn’t do anything with the site, it continues to cost them $$ in interest. With a strong re-use plan and community buy-in, easier to sell the site. Without this, the owner would potentially have to sell to a developer for less. CLF offers to help make a deal go through based on what community people want. Discussion followed about marine life, water quality, and testing not just on land but in the water. What we accept as a use for the land may effect future use of river. Charlie said Hess gave a complete diagram of the storm water, nothing is released into the harbor unless it is first tested. Indira (EPA) is doing a study to summarize all of the oil polluters on the Creek. Stacey asked for decision about whether we should or should not work with CLF. Fran made motion, seconded by Arthur. All in favor. Urban Wild: City is applying to Browne Fund for $150,000 for park development. Agreed that EB-CCAG to submit letter of support. Boston Sand and Gravel is providing $25,000 in materials and $50,000 in cash for the park. Greater Boston Urban Resource Partnership is providing $25,000 for plant materials. Cabot has indicated that they may provide more $ for the park. Discussed possibility of having artist to work with the community to develop elements such as interpretative signs (John Taguiri was mentioned). Edie DeAngelis and Roberta Marchi volunteered at a past meeting to serve on sub-committee to work on history of Creek that could be included in the park. Mary and Maddy are interested on working on committee regarding artist (if this happens). Updates/Misc.: Chelsea Creek walk held on Oct. 23rd: Arthur led this tour sponsored by EB-CCAG and Boston Natural Areas Fund. He reported that approximately 12 people were there. The walk started at the City Yard proceeding to the Urban Wild and down Condor Street. Arthur pointed out historical and current issues and hopes for the area between the two bridges. Arthur thought people were interested. All in all a good experience. Department of Public Works site – Lucy reported that she’s been calling the City. They’ve finally removed last pile, and filled in the hole. DPW will be parking trucks there and dropping off more salt for the winter. Channel Fish: This site comes up repeatedly at our meetings. Channel is supposed to take the cabs off of their trucks, but doesn’t do this; there is also a problem with maggots and a terrible stench. Also a concern that they are dumping in open channel along the site (we need proof). We sent a letter to Channel earlier this year and got a cool response. Indira (EPA) will follow-up some calls she made to the City. Mary will call Jim Aloisi (attorney representing Channel). Need to call OSHA to ask them to look into. There was similar case in Allston where evidence that Legal Seafood was discharging waste into the sewer. Community used threat of legal action to get them to clean up; now they are considered a good neighbor. It was proposed that since Channel Fish comes up so often that EB-CCAG take this site on as one of our priorities. Boudreau "Boatyard": Although there is a City sign about the Boston Environmental Strike Team hitting this site, the clean up has been very slow. Arthur plans to send photo to the City showing the mess. This site has been a mess for 15 years. NOAH is submitting proposal to Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection for another Technical Assistance Grant ($ to pay for Licensed Site Professional – Irwin Silverstein) Logan Commerce Park – this proposed site along Route 1A would take warehousing and office space from airport and put in community. Would include 24 bays for trucks, and lots of parking. There is a group, including EB-CCAG representatives working on this site. Suggestion to have problems about Chelsea Creek included in MassPort’s Environmental Impact Statement – in the environmental justice section. Indira will draft a letter. Upcoming EB-CCAG meeting dates: Nov 17th, Dec 6th.
Stacey Chacker recorded these minutes to her best recollection. Please call 569-0059 ext. 13 to make changes within 30 days. posted on EBOL on
11/10/99 |
