Overview:

The first of four meetings to review the assessment process for brownfield sites in Athol has identified potential locations that could be eligible. Brownfields are properties where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by actual or perceived environmental contamination from heavy metals, solvents, petroleum, PCBs, and other industrial chemicals. The town has identified six priority sites in and around downtown Athol for further investigation, including the former Cass Toy Factory, Athol Machine & Foundry, and Woodard Casket Manufacturing site.

ATHOL – The first of four meetings to review the assessment process for brownfield sites in Athol outlined potential locations that could be eligible.

The meeting, which took place at Athol Public Library on Sept. 24, was facilitated by project manager Abby Albano and senior hydrogeologist Todd Kirton, both of the engineering firm of Tighe & Bond.

Brownfields, said Kirton, are properties where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by actual or perceived environmental contamination from heavy metals, solvents, petroleum, PCBs, and other industrial chemicals. A good example, he said, is the former Cass Toy Factory at 62 Canal St., which is now owned by the town. The factory was destroyed by fire in 2012 and the site found to be contaminated with heavy metals and PCBs, though some assessment and cleanup has already been done.

“There are some brownfields that have already had assessments and some cleanup done, and there’s more coming under different programs through EPA. Mass DEP has stepped in, too,” said Kirton. “But there may be more work to be done even after the initial cleanup. The EPA won’t clean it up all the way. Their goal is to get rid of the imminent hazard – that’s their only role right now.”

Phase I of the assessment process includes a review of records that detail past and current land uses, a review of government ownership and environmental records, visual site inspections, and interviews with property owners, neighbors and those who used to work at the site.

Phase II determines what contaminants are likely to be on the site, develops a soil and groundwater sampling plan, checks for high-risk areas and determines the extent of contamination, and ends with developing a cleanup plan.

A brownfields inventory for Athol conducted by the University of Connecticut in 2022 identified 17 potential brownfields properties, 14 of which are privately owned.

The town has identified six priority sites in and around downtown Athol for further investigation. These include the former Athol Machine & Foundry at 84 South St., the Woodard Casket Manufacturing site off Main Street, the former York Theatre building at 469 Main St., Parker Gas at 56 School St., Batchelder Automotive Distributors at 158 Marble St., and the Cass Toy property.

Planning and Development Director Eric Smith said that Cass Toy, Athol Machine & Foundry, and Woodard Casket are being looked at as locations for senior, low-income, or mixed-income housing. Before that can happen, he said, the properties must undergo brownfields assessments and, if necessary, mitigation of any contamination found.

Kirton said there are a number of circumstances under which the cost of cleanup could be borne by developers interested in a certain site. There may also be government assistance available.

“At the end of the day, you will be responsible for it at some point in time,” he added.

Kirton urged everyone at the meeting to continue attending future community outreach events. Last week’s meeting was the first of four, which will take place on a quarterly basis.

Residents are urged to reach out with concerns about the process or any properties that might qualify as a brownfields site. Contact Eric Smith at esmith@townofathol.com or 978-721-8517, or Todd Kirton at tdkirton@tighebond.com or 413-572-3222.

Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.