Renewed Hope For Cleanup Of Contaminated Batchelder Site

The Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently conducted environmental testing at the Charles Batchelder Company site on 40 Swamp Road. The property is the site of an abandoned aluminum smelting facility. 

Town officials are hopeful that the environmental testing results will enable the EPA to begin the cleanup process so that a future developer can then take over the property and finish the cleanup.

Scrap metal smelting on the property occurring from 1947 to 1987 resulted in the generation of large piles of fine metal waste product (called baghouse fines and dross). These piles are contaminated with high levels of metals including cadmium, lead, tin, chromium, copper, zinc, and nickel.

“Removal of the contaminated materials from the site is recommended due to the potential for exposure to the surrounding wetlands and ecosystem,” said Rob Sibley, deputy director of planning and land use.

There are also numerous safety hazards on the property, including buildings in disrepair, open pits, broken glass, old machinery, and debris piles.

State Health Department Epidemiologist Meg Harvey has evaluated metal concentrations in the waste piles and warns trespassers to say off the site.

“Riding dirt bikes on the waste piles is a serious concern because breathing a lot of the metal dust could cause flulike health symptoms,” she said. Contamination at the site does not present any health concerns to nearby residents, provided people stay off the site, she added.

“We do not believe that there has been any change in the hazards on the property — there are physical hazards and there are contaminated soils. People should not trespass. If they stay away, they will not be at risk,” stated Donna Culbert, director of health for the Newtown Health District.

The site is currently fenced and posted with warning signs, and officials warn residents to obey the No Trespassing signs. Town officials are also aware that trespassers do occasionally enter the site by cutting holes in the fencing and are riding dirt bikes on the metal waste piles.

Police Chief Michael Kehoe warns, “Town police routinely check the site for trespassers and those who damage the security fencing. Because of the inherent dangers posed on the property, police will make arrests for all violations.”

Town officials remain hopeful that an opportunity for an EPA initiated cleanup is in the property’s future and that the site ultimately joins the ranks of viable productive property in Newtown, according to Ms Culbert.