NPI IRA - 12 CEDAR ROAD, 14 CEDAR ROAD, 14 BARNES ROAD 8.24.23
Blackstone Environmental Solutions, LLC
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Environmental Consulting and Licensed Site Professional Services
Blackstone Environmental Solutions, LLC
76 Bay View Drive Shrewsbury MA 01545
(508) 612-4738 ꞏ www.bes-env.com
Mayor Dominick Pangallo August 24, 2023
City of Salem Project #1843
City Hall
93 Washington Street
Salem, MA 01970
Via email to City Solicitor: brennard@salem.com
RE: Immediate Response Action Notification
Vacant Parcels
12 Cedar Road, 14 Cedar Road, and 14 Barnes Road
Salem, MA 01970
RTN 3-38273
Dear Mayor Pangallo:
Pursuant to the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP) 310 CMR 40.1403 (3)(b), Blackstone
Environmental Solutions LLC (BES) on behalf of JL Realty Trust, JMI Realty Trust, and
Barnes Road Trust is providing notice of the implementation of an Immediate Response Action
(IRA) undertaken to prevent, control, abate, or eliminate an Imminent Hazard (IH) as required
in 310 CMR 40.0322 and 40.0426 at the above referenced properties (i.e., referred herein as
the “Site”). A summary of the regulatory notification conditions requiring an IRA at the Site
is presented below.
On August 7, 2023, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
was notified on behalf of JL Realty Trust of the detection of total chromium in a sample that
was collected in the top 6 inches of soil material at the vacant property located at 14 Cedar
Road, and exhibited a concentration above the notification threshold for the purpose of
fulfilling the “Two Hour” release notification obligations of 310 CMR 30.0311(7), as a “Could
Pose” Imminent Hazard to human health. The dataset generated as part of an assessment by
Chubb Global Risk Advisors on January 31, 2020 includes a total chromium concentration of
258 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) that was collected in the top 6 inches of material at
location SS-2. SS-2 is located in close proximity to the property boundary for 16 Cedar Road.
MassDEP subsequently assigned RTN 3-38273 to this 2-hour reporting condition.
On August 11, 2023, the MassDEP was notified on behalf of Barnes Road Trust that the vacant
property located at 14 Barnes Road has triggered a 2-hour reporting condition (i.e., potential
Imminent Hazard Condition). The 14 Barnes Road property is located immediately adjacent
to 14 Cedar Road. The dataset generated as part of an assessment by Weston & Sampson on
October 9, 2020 includes a total polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentration of 118.3 mg/kg
that was collected in the top 6 inches of material at location N-9. This PCB concentration is
above the notification threshold for the purpose of fulfilling the “Two Hour” release
notification obligations of 310 CMR 30.0311(7), as a “Could Pose” Imminent Hazard to human
IRA Notification Page 2 of 2
14 Cedar Road, Salem, MA August 24, 2023
Blackstone Environmental Solutions, LLC
76 Bay View Drive Shrewsbury MA 01545
(508) 612-4738 ꞏ www.bes-env.com
health notification threshold.
On August 14, 2023, the MassDEP was notified on behalf of JL Realty Trust that the vacant
property located at 12 Cedar Road has triggered a 2-hour reporting condition (i.e., potential
Imminent Hazard Condition). The dataset generated as part of that assessment by Weston &
Sampson on October 8, 2020 includes a total PCB concentration of 66 mg/kg that was collected
in the top 6 inches of material at location F-3. This PCB concentration is above the notification
threshold for the purpose of fulfilling the “Two Hour” release notification obligations of 310
CMR 30.0311(7), as a “Could Pose” Imminent Hazard to human health notification threshold.
The 12 Cedar Road property is immediately adjacent to 14 Cedar Road.
MassDEP verbally approved IRA activities to be conducted under RTN 3-38273 for 12 Cedar
Road, 14 Cedar Road, and 14 Barnes Road, and includes but not limited to an expedited
subsurface investigation program to be completed within 60 days to address the potential
Imminent Hazard condition to human health at the Site. The assessment activities will be
performed to further investigate the source of the shallow heavy metals, including chromium
and lead, and PCB impacted soils. Also, MassDEP has approved the installation of a security
fence along the southern boundary of 16 Barnes Road in order to restrict access to 14 Barnes
Road via a trespasser scenario.
If there are any questions regarding this correspondence, please do not hesitate to contact the
undersigned.
Sincerely,
Blackstone Environmental Solutions, LLC
Michael C. Bricher, LSP, P.G.
Principal
CC: Board of Health, City of Salem, Public Health Agent, Mr. David Greenbaum, RS.
dgreenbaum@Salem.com
Kathleen Ingemi, 381 Highland Avenue, Salem, MA 01970
Jamy Buchanan Madeja, Esq., Buchanan & Associates, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite
1400, Boston, MA 02114
Erik Johnson, Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup, Northeast Regional Office, MassDEP