1981/03/03M I N U T E S
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE POLLUTION CONTROL COMMISSICN HELD ON
MARCH 3, 1981.
The meeting was called to order at 7:37 p.m. All five members of
the Commission were present, as was Dr. Chotkowski. Alsa present
was a representative of Citizens for the Environment. Th.e current
negotiations between the Mattabasset Sewer District and t.he City of
New Britain, whereby the Sewer District would dump a large quantity
of ash and sludge at the New Britain Landfill site in Ber~lin, was
the initial topic of conversation. Chairman Dalidowitz a.nd Dr.
Chotkowski brought the Commission up to date on recent events.
Chairman Dalidowitz had met previously with Mayor Ragazzi and had
drafted a letter to the Mayor outlining~certain questions which
should be asked concerning the material to be dumped. Chairman
Dalidowitz and Dr. Chotkowski had visited the Mattabasset Sewer
District site, and both of them described to the Commission the
physical appearance of the matter to be dumped. Chairman Dalidowitz
also reviewed with the Commission and explained written reports of
tests which have been made on the ash. The tests included tests for
certain heavy metals and also a leachate test. Chairman Dalidowitz
pointed out that there was a very high chromium level and also a
large amount of cadmium zinc, nickel, iron and lead in the ash.
Chairman Dalidowitz reported having spoken with the chief engineer
of the Mattabasset Sewer District, who informed him tha~ in addition
to the ash, the material to be dumped includes sludge which has been
trucked in from Middletown at the rate of 1,000 gallons per month.
- 2 -
Dr. Chotkowski reported having spent one and one-half hours at the
Mattabasset Sewer District on Monday, February 3, 1981. His
observations included the fact that a large quantity of untreated
sewage has been included with the ash, including material. caught in
filters and skimmed from tanks. He reported that the test had only
been done on the ash and not all of the material which is proposed
to be dumped. Concerns which were raised were the proxi~ity of the
landfill site to a brook and also the proximity to the Sportsmen's
Well which is already suffering from the effects of pollu.tion which
the Town is trying to clean up. After discussion of alternatives,
the Commission voted to oppose the dumping at the landfill because
of the proximity of the Sportsmen's Well and because of the sheer
quantity of inetal contained in the ash.
Also discussed was the Commission's tour of the Stan-Chem plant in
East Berlin earlier in the day. Dr. Chotkowski stated that there
are three areas with which he is not satisfied:
l. The fact that the sink in the laboratory is connected
directly to the sewer system.
2. That the air in the laboratory is not filtered.
3. That the air in the paint shop is not filtered.
Chairman Dalidowitz observed that the plant represents a typical
paint operation, and that it is impossible to control odors inside
the plant, but that the big problem remaining is to contr~~l odors
outside the plant. He also observed the fact that the monomer tanks
are out in the open air, and any leakage could cause odor~s. He also
questioned where the drains in the plant's shops actually lead to.
- 3 -
Commissioner Dennehy commented on the chemical dust whicYi was being
vented from one of the buildings. A discussion was had r_oncerning
the furniture finishing shop which is located on the premises which
is apparently not owned or controlled by Stan-Chem.
Dr. Chotkowski mentioned a number of areas with which th~ Commission
might be concerned. They include previewing the operations of any
plants which desire to locate in the Town of Berlin, lookinq into
the potential effects of grinder pump sewage systems, an~i a
possible informational release to encourage people not to use septic
systems for household chemical wastes.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:37 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
.~, --.-
J n F. Stanton
Secretary
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