Mansfield Trail cleanup nearly complete

Mansfield Trail cleanup nearing completion By Amy Stewart BYRAM — Over 7,500 tons of trichloroethylene (TCE) contaminated soil was excavated and removed from the Mansfield Trail toxic dumpsite in Byram since the cleanup began back in February. The trail's designation as a "superfund" site by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2011 cleared the way for an expedited cleanup. According to Lou DiGuardia, the on-scene coordinator for the EPA removal group, the cleanup crew found more material than expected but the excavation and removal is nearly complete. DiGuardia hopes to be done with the cleanup and removal by the end of this week. Byram Township Manager Joseph Sabatini and Councilman Scott Olson met with DiGuardia at the site to discuss the restoration of the area. The goal is to leave the site in similar condition as it was in the beginning of the cleanup. DiGuardia hopes to have the walking paths restored by the end of May. Kristin Giacalone, the Remedial Project Manager from the EPA, reported at Thursday’s Community Advisory Group’s meeting that a contractor will start a remedial investigation during the summer months. The contractor will install monitoring wells and test the water in the area. Giacalone also reported that after the latest round of air testing in area homes, all levels of TCE were within acceptable limits except for one home that had a slightly elevated reading. For more information, or for questions about the site, contact Pat Seppi at seppi.pat@epamail.epa.gov or 646-369-0068.