Officials say chemical spill in Milford no problem

09/11/2007

Brian McCready , Milford Bureau Chief

MILFORD — Local and state officials said that the spill of a cleaning agent this summer at the former site of Robertshaw Controls Co. on Hill Street was handled properly, that the spill was not hazardous and it did not require door-to-door notification. The aldermanic Public Safety and Welfare Committee meeting Monday evening drew a host of top local officials and four state Department of Environmental Protection representatives.

The meeting was called after top Democrats, including mayoral candidate Kerri Rowland, raised concerns about how the administration of Mayor James L. Richetelli Jr. handled the spill of the cleaning agent and why residents were not immediately informed.

Democrats relayed reports about children playing where the cleaning agent was found.

But at Monday’s hearing, every official who testified said the cleaning agent’s presence was so insignificant that it could not be classified as hazardous, and there was no justification to go door-to-door and notify residents.

In mid-June, a reddish purple color was detected in catch basins near the former factory, but the source could not be confirmed until July 2.

Officials said cleanup of previous groundwater contamination at the former Robertshaw began in June, and the cleaning agent, potassium permanganate, used to treat the contamination, got into the catch basin.

The groundwater was previously contaminated by trichloroethylene.

Fire Chief Louis LaVecchia said crews initially thought the cleaning agent was a dye or paint, but it was quickly tested and determined there was "no hazard."

"The numbers were so low that it did not warrant notification, except to routine agencies like the DEP," said LaVecchia.

"We’re not going to notify the public every time there is a spill," LaVecchia added. "If people need to be notified or evacuated, we will do everything we need to."

City officials put out a press release July 3.

Alderwoman Barbara Lambert, D-2, asked if the cleaning agent spill was so minor, why did police provide security for more than a day, and close a portion of the road.

LaVecchia and Police Chief Keith Mello said police provide security in these types of cases, and since large trucks were on the site to vacuum out the chemical, they did not want cars to hit the vehicles.

DEP emergency response coordinator John Aceto said he tested the chemical and it did not pose a hazard, and that while he was at the scene, he spoke to residents and allayed their concerns.

"The Fire Department should be commended for the job it did on this," Aceto said.

After the hearing, Rowland said she was disappointed that the administration tried to use a lack of phone calls it received on the topic as evidence that the public was not alarmed.

"People can’t call if they don’t know about it," Rowland said.

Democratic Town Chairman Richard Smith said he believes the Democrats made their point, and if Richetelli had to do it over again, he would notify residents directly.

"Information eliminates hysteria, it does not create it," Rowland added.