Dear Resident,

Attached to this letter, please find an update that addresses issues that were raised at the March 12, 2001 public meeting concerning the Permeable Reactive Barrier that DEP plans to install beneath Central Ave in Needham. The update contains a summary of the health and safety requirements that DEP included in the Bid Specifications for this project, as well as follow-up to the various concerns raised, including:

• Risk from potential exposure to trichloroethylene (TCE) during trench construction;
• Air pollutant emissions from diesel construction equipment;
• Excavated soil management;
• Site security;
• Temporary re-location of abutters.

Although we are still working to address some of the issues, we wanted to provide the information that we had to date to help everyone understand the latest status. As more issues are resolved, we will attempt to keep you informed.

The start of the project, expected to be late March, is now estimated to be mid-April. Once the exact start date is firm, we will notify local officials and residents.

This mailing is being sent to those who attended the March 12, 2001 meeting. Please feel free to share it with any other interested resident. If you have any further questions with respect to this project, please contact Peter Richards at 978-661-7837.

Sincerely,

Stephen M. Johnson
Chief, Site Management Section