Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Strengthens Public Participation in Cleanups

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced $120,000 in Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) awards to six municipalities and community groups. The TAG Program, administered by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), helps communities get involved in cleaning up waste disposal sites in their neighborhoods. The funding can be used to bring in experts, engage more residents, and offer educational resources for the public.

“So many Massachusetts residents care about the environment and are interested in making sure their water and air are protected but get stymied by the complex technical information that informs assessment and remediation,” said MassDEP Commissioner Bonnie Heiple. “These funds support local leaders and residents in gaining the knowledge and confidence to actively shape decisions about the cleanup of contamination in their own communities.”

The six grant recipients are:

Nantucket PFAS Action Group, Inc. (Nantucket, MA) – $20,000

• Nantucket PFAS Action Group will use its award to engage technical expertise to review and interpret site documents and information related to the Nantucket Memorial Airport to increase public awareness by providing valuable insights into the extent and nature of residents’ health concerns and issues. Contaminants of concern include per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which impact groundwater, surface water, soil, local wildlife, and nearby private drinking water wells.

Lunt Neighborhood Action Group, Inc. (Greenfield, MA) – $20,000

• Lunt Neighborhood Action Group, Inc. will use its award to engage technical expertise to evaluate and interpret existing information about the former Lunt Silversmith disposal site in Greenfield. This initiative seeks to encourage greater public participation in the ongoing cleanup of the former metal manufacturing facility. Contaminants of concern include chlorinated volatile organic compounds, which have been detected in soil, groundwater, and indoor air.

Town of Barnstable Department of Public Works (DPW) – $20,000

• The Town of Barnstable DPW will use its award to engage technical expertise to review and evaluate site documents for the Barnstable County Fire Training Academy disposal site to increase public participation by advising town officials and residents on actions necessary to protect public health, welfare and the environment. The site contaminants of concern include PFAS, affecting both soil and groundwater.

Town of Lee – $20,000

• The Town of Lee will use its award to engage technical expertise to review and interpret information about the Upland Disposal Facility, an area permitted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for storage of contaminated sediments from the Housatonic River Superfund Site, to provide technical assistance to local officials and outreach to citizens. Contaminants of concern include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), potentially affecting the aquifer.

Westfield Residents Advocating for Themselves, Inc. (Westfield, MA) – $20,000

• Westfield Residents Advocating for Themselves will use its award to engage technical expertise to review and interpret disposal site documents and information for the Barnes Air National Guard Base to increase public awareness by providing valuable insights into the extent and nature of residents’ health concerns and issues. Contaminants of concern include PFAS, affecting soil, surface water, and groundwater, and impacting municipal and private drinking water supplies.

Town of Westminster – $20,000

• The Town of Westminster will use its award to engage a technical expert to review and interpret information related to the Bean Porridge Hill Road Area disposal site. The project aims to enhance public participation by assisting town officials and community members to better understand relevant complex technical information. Contaminants of concern include PFAS, impacting residential drinking water wells. 

Please visit the TAG Program webpage for more information.  

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