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U.S. EPA, CT DEP, AND HAMDEN TOWN OFFICIALS TO HOST NEWHALL STREET NEIGHBORHOOD INFORMATION MEETING

Release Date: 06/05/2001
Contact Information: Alice Kaufman, EPA Community Affairs, 617-918-1064 Angela Bonarrigo, Community Involvement, 617-918-1034

BOSTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) , and Hamden town officials are hosting an open house and public information meeting on Wednesday, June 27th in the auditorium of the Hamden Middle School. EPA will present the results of the residential surface soil sampling effort conducted in the Newhall Street neighborhood this April. DEP will discuss the recommended cleanup plan for Rochford Field as well as provide an update on sampling at the Hamden Middle School. Representatives from the Connecticut Department of Public Health and the Quinnipiack Valley Health District will also attend the meeting.

The open house will be from 6 p.m - 7 p.m. outside the auditorium and the information meeting will follow at 7 p.m. inside the auditorium. Neighborhood residents are encouraged to attend.

Results from EPA's residential surface soil sampling effort revealed some isolated areas of elevated levels of lead, arsenic and PAH's in the Newhall Street neighborhood. In the past few weeks, EPA and Connecticut Department of Public Health representatives contacted individual homeowners to discuss the sampling results for their property. On properties where elevated levels of contamination were identified, EPA and DPH staff are advising residents what precautions should be taken to minimize exposure, especially to young children. EPA will remain in contact with homeowners and plans to address areas of immediate concern later this summer.

A final report on EPA's residential surface soil sampling will be available to the public next month. Results of CT DEP's sampling of the "green strips" in the neighborhood can be reviewed at the CT DEP office or can be obtained by contacting Shannon Windisch at CT DEP, 860-424-3546.