Press Release  MassDEP Penalizes Solid Waste Transfer Station in New Bedford

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has fined E.L. Harvey & Sons, Inc., $29,980 for failing to prevent a rodent infestation and for causing a public nuisance at its solid waste transfer station located at 1254 Shawmut Avenue in the City of New Bedford.

On May 14, 2025, a fire at E.L. Harvey transfer station caused the facility to shut down and stop accepting solid waste. The fire compromised the structural integrity of the building where solid waste was handled, and the material could not be removed. In response to a complaint about a rat infestation, MassDEP inspected the transfer station and observed hundreds of rats within the E.L. Harvey transfer station and numerous rats in the surrounding community.

"Solid waste regulations are designed to protect public health by providing rules and standards for the safe operation of transfer stations," said Gerard Martin, director of MassDEP’s southeast regional office in Lakeville. "MassDEP appreciates the partnership of the City of New Bedford to ensure E.L. Harvey brought the facility back into compliance and retained appropriate professionals to address the rodent issues at the facility and in the community."

A solid waste transfer station owner is required by state regulation to incorporate procedures and practices in its operations to prevent the attraction of rodents. E.L. Harvey violated state regulations by failing to take adequate measures to prevent a rodent infestation, which resulted in a public nuisance. MassDEP inspectors observed hundreds of rats, and the City of New Bedford closed a nearby playground due to rodent activity.

MassDEP instructed E.L. Harvey to immediately take actions to control and reduce the rat infestation. MassDEP inspected the facility several times to ensure the rat infestation was being addressed quickly.

In addition to the $29,980 penalty, E.L. Harvey & Sons Inc. must cease and desist from accepting solid waste at the transfer station until it receives authorization from MassDEP. It must make repairs to the transfer station and implement a robust Rodent Control Plan to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.

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