1 COURAGEOUS COURT PIN, PHASE I ISI, TIER II CLASSIFICATION REPORT RECEIVE® ENVIRONMENTAL
C O N E C O �/ l ;
5
Engineers & Scientists OCT 22 202 CIVIL
CITY OF SALEM
October 14, 2025 BOARD OF HEALTH
Coneco Project No. 12873.002
Sara Moore, Board of Health Chair
City of Salem
98 Washington Street
Salem,Massachusetts 01970
RE: Public Involvement Notification
Phase I Initial Site Investigation and Tier H Classification Report
Non-PCB Mineral Oil Dielectric Fluid Release
Pad-Mounted Electrical Transformer
1 Courageous Court
Salem,Massachusetts
Release Tracking Number 3-50926
Dear Ms. Moore:
Pursuant to 310 CMR 40.1403 of the Massachusetts Contingency Plan(MCP),the following
serves as written notification of the submittal of a Phase I Initial Site Investigation and Tier 11
Classification Report. This submittal is regarding a release of non-polychlorinated biphenyl
(PCB)mineral oil dielectric fluid(MODF)from a pad-mounted electrical transformer located
at the above-referenced location. A copy of the above-referenced report will be available for
viewing on or about October 9, 2025, at the Massachusetts Department of Environmental
Protection(MassDEP)Northeast Regional Office in Woburn,Massachusetts. A copy of this
report may also be obtained by contacting the undersigned in writing. A copy of the Phase I
Initial Site Investigation summary of findings and conclusions is appended to this notice.
A legal notice regarding this release will be published in The Salem News on or about
October 14,2025. A copy of this notice is included with this letter. A copy of the Disposal
Site Plan is also attached for reference. Additional Public Involvement Activities may be
requested pursuant to 310 CMR 40.1403(9). This submittal is being made on behalf of
Massachusetts Electric Company,the party conducting response actions relating to this
release. If you have any questions,please contact the undersigned.
Respectfully Submitted,
Coneco Engineers& Scientists, Incorporated
Camille L.Billetter ZAMarc E. rochu, LSP
Project Scientist Senior Project Manager
Enclosures: Copy-Phase I Initial Site Investigation Summary of Findings and Conclusions
Copy-Notice of Initial Site Investigation and Tier II Classification
Disposal Site Plan
cc: MassDEP-NERD
Massachusetts Electric Company
4 First Street, Bridgewater,MA 02324 (508)697-3191 (800)548-3355
Coneco.com
Summary of Findings and Conclusions of Phase I Initial Site Investigation
Non-PCB Mineral Oil Dielectric Fluid Release
Pad-Mounted Electrical Transformer
1 Courageous Court
Salem,Massachusetts
Release Tracking Number 3-50926
Conditions of the area impacted by the historical release of non-PCB MODF from a 150 kVA pad-
mounted electrical transformer formerly in use at 1 Courageous Court in Salem,Massachusetts were
evaluated in a manner consistent with applicable guidelines for a Phase I-ISI as presented in 310
CMR 40.0480 of the MCP. Response actions performed in association with RTN 3-50926 included a
review of pertinent Disposal Site history,the removal of approximately 3 cubic yards of remediation
waste, and the collection and laboratory analysis of soil samples. Based on the information and
observations described herein,the following is a summary of the investigation findings:
Based on the information and observations described herein,the following is a summary of the
investigation findings:
• On June 13, 2024, MECO was informed of a power outage at Courageous Court in Salem,
Massachusetts. At that time, MECO identified staining indicative of a historical release of
MODF that had occurred from a 150 kVA pad-mounted electrical transformer in use at that
time. Coneco visited the Site and observed approximately 75 square-feet of surficial staining
along the concrete transformer pad, landscaped grass,and underlying soil. No indication of a
sudden release of MODF greater than the applicable RQ was observed by MECO or Coneco.
• Original manufacturer's nameplate information present on the 150 kVA pad-mounted
electrical transformer indicated that the MODF associated with the transformer contained less
than 1 ppm PCBs at the time of manufacture. Therefore,MODF contained within the
transformer was characterized as"non-PCB"pursuant to 40 CFR 761.3 and 310 CMR
40.0000.
• In order to eliminate the source of the release and stabilize environmental conditions at the
Site, MECO de-energized and removed the leaking transformer(i.e.,eliminated release
source)on June 14,2024.
• Following removal of the leaking pad-mounted electrical transformer,remedial actions were
performed, including the cleaning of the concrete transformer pad and excavation of
impacted soil located beneath and adjacent to the concrete transformer pad under an LRA.
The final dimensions of the remedial excavation completed on June 14,2024,measured
approximately 36 linear feet around the perimeter of the concrete pad,and extended to 1 to 4
feet deep. All impacted surficial soil was removed from the release area during initial
response actions on June 13 and 14,2024. The LRA excavation was discontinued prior to
reducing non-PCB MODF concentrations in soil to levels consistent with or approaching
natural background conditions due to spatial and logistical constraints and customer electrical
demands.
• A total of nine confirmatory soil samples(CS-01 through CS-09)were collected from the
base and sidewalls of the LRA excavation area to define in-situ soil conditions at the
completion of soil removal activities.
• On June 14,2024, approximately 3 cubic yards of impacted media were removed as part of
LRA activities. Due to Disposal Site constraints and limitations at the time of LRA
excavation activities, impacted soil located along the eastern and western sides and below the
transformer pad could not be remediated to achieve or approach Background conditions at
that time.
• Based on laboratory analytical results for post-remedial excavation soil samples,which
exhibited EPH concentrations in excess of the applicable MCP RCS-1 RCs,release
conditions represented an MCP 120-day reportable condition, as defined in 310 CMR
40.0315(2). A BWSC-103: 120-Day Release Notification Form was submitted to MassDEP
on October 7, 2024. MassDEP assigned RTN 3-50926 to the subject non-PCB MODF
release.
• No impacts to drinking water, indoor air, or surface water have been identified or are
expected to occur as a result of the subject release.
• The release occurred from a point source at a residential property. The potential routes for
human exposure include inhalation, ingestion, and/or dermal contact with soil during
activities such as landscaping, utility maintenance,or construction conducted within the
limits of the Disposal Site.
• No off-Site migration pathways have been identified at the Disposal Site; however, further
assessment of potential pathways may be performed as part of ongoing response actions.
Based on Disposal Site conditions,potential human exposure is considered unlikely except
by utility workers performing subsurface construction or maintenance activities on the
transformer within the Disposal Site boundary.
• Based on current Disposal Site conditions,no conditions warranting an IRA are present;
therefore,an IRA condition is not present. Future remedial actions will be conducted under a
Release Abatement Measure(RAM)and/or as part of Comprehensive Response Actions.
NOTICE OF PHASE I INITIAL SITE INVESTIGATION
AND TIER II CLASSIFICATION
Non-PCB Mineral Oil Dielectric Fluid Release
Pad-Mounted Electrical Transformer
1 Courageous Court
Salem, Massachusetts
Release Tracking Number 3-50926
A release of oil and/or hazardous material has occurred at this location, which is a
disposal site as defined by M.G.L. c. 21 E, § 2 and the Massachusetts Contingency
Plan, 310 CMR 40.0000. To evaluate the release, a Phase I Initial Site
Investigation was performed pursuant to 310 CMR 40.0480. As a result of this
investigation, the site has been classified as Tier II pursuant to 310 CMR 40.0500.
On or about October 9, 2025, the Massachusetts Electric Company filed a Tier
Classification Submittal with the Department of Environmental Protection
(MassDEP). To obtain more information on this disposal site, please contact Marc
E. Brochu, LSP, Coneco Engineers & Scientists, Incorporated, 4 First Street,
Bridgewater, Massachusetts, 02324, (508) 802-2014.
The Tier Classification Submittal and the disposal site file can be reviewed at the
MassDEP Northeast Regional Office, 150 Presidential Way, Woburn,
Massachusetts, 01801, (978) 694-3200.
Additional public involvement opportunities are available under 310 CMR
40.1403(9) and 310 CMR 40.1404.
NOTE: THE LOCATION AND
DIMENSIONS OF THE SUBJECT ASPHALT-PAVED
PROPERTY AND VICINITY
PARKING LOT
FEATURES ARE APPROXIMATE r GRANITE CURBING
AND BASED UPON CONECO
FIELD OBSERVATIONS.
1 COURAGEOUS COURT
BUILDING
APPROXIMATELY 10 FEET
b—G G--'-6-6-6-6 —G {
--
_. CS-02 E�E
71
ROCKS C5' -
--r---
i
- I �I• ` - C
I'
- ASPHALT-PAVE DS-09 ROCK PARKING LOTL09
DUITWOODED AREA
SHRUBBERY OUTS
C-08
CS-01
CS04 CS-07
X X— - �
x x
x _
x
CS-03 -X X X
WOODED AREA
0 4' 8'
LEGEND
SCALE: 1" = 4'
DISPOSAL SITE BOUNDARY
APPROXIMATE LIMITS OF
SURFICIAL STAINING DRAWN CHECKED NON-PCB MODF RELEASE
APPROXIMATE LIMITS OF �� PAD-MOUNTED ELECTRICAL TRANSFORMER
EXCAVATION
_._.. UNDERGROUND ELECTRICAL C O N E C O BY WCB 11EB 1 COURAGEOUS COURT
LINES SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS
UNDERGROUND GAS LINES ,,, Engineers&SCientists DATE 9/4/24 9/20/24
CS-01 CONFIRMATORY SOIL SAMPLE � - '� �^'��•^^
• LOCATION AND IDENTIFICATION PROJECT NO. 12873.001 FIGURE 3 - DISPOSAL SITE PLAN