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POMPTON LAKES - Expert to review vapor results
(by Leslie Scott - Staff Writer - December 02, 2008)
POMPTON LAKES - The Borough Council has unanimously agreed to hire Parsippany-based Environmental Waste Management Associates to oversee DuPont’s plan to mitigate vapors contaminating residential neighborhoods.
Councilman Ellis Marples said this company was initially one of two semi-finalists but did not take top billing.
“However, the contract from the other firm contained wording that would not allow residents to use the findings and test results, only the borough. This was deemed unacceptable by the governing body,” said Marples.
During the Nov. 24 council meeting, Councilman Mike Simone explained that the contract with Waste Management does not prohibit third-party use.
The borough will spend up to $75,000 for this contract. Some of the duties Waste Management will be responsible for include reviewing vapor test results, performing random testing, and reviewing DuPont’s vapor mitigation program and process. It will then come back to the governing body with recommendations.
“We will have all of this information explained to us in terms that we can all understand. And with it (comes) assurance that the person we are hiring has in fact verified all of this work is proper and all of this work is being done in accordance with this document,” said Simone.
Councilwoman Lisa Riggiola wanted the contract to include terms calling for the provision of vapor testing.
Several residents also suggested that the council have testing included in the contract.
“I’m hoping that they are including the testing because I think if we don’t have testing, the people are going to be screaming,” said White Way resident Helen Martens.
“Ten years ago it was the ground water. Now it is vapor intrusion,” added Sue Recca, also of White Way. “What’s it going to be 10 years from now? You have to help the people in the plume area (where the vapors are heaviest) and you have to have other testing done just to make sure everything is on the up and up.”
Simone explained that $19,000 of the $75,000 is earmarked for vapor testing. If the company recommends that more testing is needed, that would have to go before the governing body for consideration.
“The testing is secondary. I know you don’t want to hear that but you initially have to find out what is being done right or you can test all you want and it’s wrong, then you are out of luck,” said Simone.
Simone said the governing body would schedule a public hearing on this contract.
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