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1981/02/03.e... ~ . , , ~ ; ~'_`. _ ~ M I N U T E S The first meeting of the Pollution Control Commission was held on February 3, 1981. It was called to order at 7:37 p.m. Al1 regular members of the Commission were present. Also present were three members of the Citizens for the Environment and the Connpcticut Citizens Action Group. They were Elizabeth Cole and Carol Yurewitch, both of Berlin, and Rebecca Doty of New Brita~Ln. Chair- man Dalidowitz discussed the need for information and input in order to accomplish the common objective of eliminating pollut~on within the Town. With regard to the Stan-Chem situation, Chairrnan Dalidowitz outlined briefly the Commission's understandirig of the problem and the situation. Ms. Cole and Ms. Yurewitch briefed the Commission in some detail about their experiences while ~iving in the area of the Stan-Chem plant and also on the effects ~~nd suspected effects of the pollution. There were two different types of odors described. One was described as a glue-type odor, and the other a solvent-type odor. The odor is generally more detectak~le in the summertime. It is affected by the humidity. It also appears to collect in pockets. Some people are more sensitive than others to the odor. Some people seem to be affected upon first mo~-ing to the area, and then get used to it. Others are affected until they re- move themselves from the area, at which time they recover- from their symptoms. Ms. Doty spoke of having visited the house nex.t to the plant. The situation there was particularly severe. Ms. Yurewitch recalled that when the plant operated at night with dew i.n the air, a powdery dust would form on automobiles parked outside. The effects of the emissions on area residents include headache, ~ ~ ~ - 2 - coughing, burning nose, watery eyes, loss of voice and rashes. A recent newspaper article dealing with Dr. Chotkowski's report was discussed. The newspaper article indicated that the problem was essentially solved. Those present agreed that the problem has not been solved. There have been recent complaints, particularly from Cromwell. Commission member Al Wiersema indicated that he had been in the area during the week, and that the odor was still there. Other concerns of area residents were discussed. They include the effects of the chemicals which were buried on the plant site, the possibility of the chemicals leaching into the aquifer, the long range effects on second and third generations, the possi:bility of explosion and fire at the plant, the effects on the elderly at Margaret's Rest Home. The pending lawsuits by Representative Curry and by the CCAG to obtain a list of the chemicals being used at the Stan-Chem plant were discussed. The list is deemed to be necessary in o:rder to properly test for the presence of chemicals. The difficulty of testing for every possible chemical was discussed. Problems with the testing which has been done were also discussed. Chairman Dalidowitz noted that even if a chemical can be smelled, it is not necessarily able to be detected by testing, because of extremely small quantities. The recent inspection by the State DEP of the Stan-Chem plant was discussed. It was noted that the Pollution Control Commission was M i • - 3 - not notified of the inspection, nor were Citizens for the Environment or the CCAG. Chairman Dalidowitz pointed ou~ the need for the Commission to establish a liaison with the DEP. The question was raised as to how the Commission can obtain a copy of the inspection. Richard Scalora indicated that inspection reports are sometimes not typed. This is in the discretion of the inspector. The members of the Citizens for the Environment asked the Commission what they could do and how they could help. John Dennehv and Chair- man Dalidowitz emphasized the need for citizens in the area to monitor the situation, especially in view of the recent newspaper articles giving the impression that the problem was solved. Nothing will be done unless the citizens complain. It was related that complaints are generally not as numerous at this time of year, and that Dr. Chotkowski should have taken this into account. Apparently, only a few people bother to complain. Also, Mrs. Favereau, one of those who did bother, has been in Hawaii for the past two months. The response of the Police Department was also discussed. It was noted that it sometimes takes an hour for the police to arrive, and sometimes the officer responding could not smell the odor.. In defense of the Police Department, Richard Scalora indicated that this type of complaint is not a priority item, and that sometimes another cruiser is sent out if the first officer cannot smell the odor. The purposes and powers of the Pollution Control Commissi.on were discussed. It was explained that the Commission serves ~rimarily .~ • . + - 4 - an advisary function. John Stanton read from the Town Charter the section on the duties of the Commission. The members of the Citizens for the Environment expressed the hope that as ~ political body the Commission would be taken more seriously and could be influential, particularly in getting timely information, notices, reports, etc. Chairman Dalidowtiz indicated that the Aetna Insurance Company has excellent testing facilities, and that if inembers of the CCAG have policies with Aetna, they might possibly be willing to do some test- ing. Other possibilities for testing were discussed. They include TRC and Yale University. John Stanton raised the possibility of acquiring state and federal funding for testing. Richard Scalora recalled that the Town had previously had someone who was in charge of obtaining state and federal funding for the Town. This function is now filled by an aide to the mayor. The discharges into the Mattabasset River were discussed~. This was done by permit of the DEP after public hearings. A number of other companies are also discharging waste into the Mattabasset. Old Business: The Commission set up a central file of police reports, r.orrespondence and other documentation concerning pollution control. The file has been placed in a filing cabinet in the Commission's meeting room. The Commission decided to tour the Stan-Chem plant some 7'uesday or Wednesday afternoon at approximately 3:00 p.m. The aftex-noon of . '' r • • - 5 - the Commission's next meeting is a likely date. Chairman Dalidowitz is to notify the members in advance of the tour. Stan- Chem has agreed to the tour with the sole condition that if any report is issued they receive a copy. The budget for the remainder of the fiscal year has been set at $100.00. Meetings will be held on the first Tuesday of each month. They will begin at 7:30 p.m. and conclude at 9:00 p.m. Dr. Chotkowski's report was distributed to the members of_ the Commission. Chairman Dalidowitz reported that only two sites in Berlrn were on the list of hazardous waste disposal sites. They are the Stan-Chem property and the New Britain Municipal Landfill. The meeting adjourned at approximately 10:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~~ ~ ~~----- ~ Joh~ F. Stanton Secretary ~ . ~-~~ % ~ / ~~~ Recei~-ed For Fi1'n~ ~ ~G~~~ '~ovvn R~ • Ms. Joanne Ward Town Clerk Berlin Town Hall 240 Kensington Road Berlin, Connecticut 06037 Dear Ms. Ward: • 180 Ellwood Road Kensington, Conn~cticut January 29, 1981 This is to advise your office and other interest~d parties that the Pollution Control Commission will meet regul~~rly on the first Tuesday of every month during 1981 or as otlzerwise specified. This schedule will become effective on February :L, 1981. Meetings will be held in Room 5 at Town Hall unless other- wise dictated by the size of the group in attendance. Very truly yours, ~;~~~~ ~~~ ~ Richard J. Dalidowitz Chairman ~~ ~ ~L~~ ~~~1~~.~~ f 9 S~ ~ , ~ ,b. ~ia~--_-- ~ ~ ~C~ ~ ~'~~~f' ~