Chicopee Gasoline Station Site Owner Fined $2,000
for Failure to Complete Cleanup Actions

Robert W. Johnson, Jr., who owns property located at 451 Grattan Street in Chicopee, will pay a $2,000 fine to the Commonwealth for violating state regulations following failures to complete the cleanup of gasoline contamination at the site.

On November 5, 2008, Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) personnel inspected the site, which houses a gasoline station, and discovered violations that included failure to remove drums in a timely manner. The drums contained remediation waste from cleanup actions completed in 2005. MassDEP also cited Johnson for failure to submit required response action plans and status reports.

"It is essential that the proper environmental cleanup be completed to provide for the future economic development of this property and the surrounding community," said Michael Gorski, director of MassDEP's Western Regional Office in Springfield. "We have extended some latitude to Mr. Johnson in the past in an effort to cleanup this property. Unfortunately, enforcement is needed to regain compliance."

Based on the terms of a settlement agreement with MassDEP, Mr. Johnson will complete the cleanup actions at the site and pay a fine of $2,000.

On September 26, 2000, MassDEP was notified of a gasoline release due to underground storage tank and line test failures. It was later confirmed that there had been a release from the piping system. Subsequently, gasoline-impacted soils were excavated and further assessment was completed.

On November 1, 2006, a Notice of Noncompliance (NON) was issued to Mr. Johnson by MassDEP for failure to continue to undertake response actions and submit required reports to MassDEP. A deadline of December 15, 2006, was established for completion of required response actions and submittal of documents. There was no response by Johnson to the NON.

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