Kristine Coulter • Southern Dutchess News
June 2, 2010
Glenham – Representatives of Chevron Corporation held a public information forum at Slater Chemical Firehouse on Tuesday, May 25 for three-hours. Residents were able to ask questions about the on-going work at the former Texaco Research Center site located in Glenham. Mark Hendrickson is the project manager for the removal project of the 43 of 64 buildings on the site, which will be taken down to the basement or foundation level.
“I think it’s kind of mixed. We had a lot of interesting questions,” he said regarding the responses from residents.
There were handouts with questions and answers about the on-going project. Thirty-seven of the fifty-eight questions were asked by residents at the public meeting held by Chevron in April.
One of the questions regarded the danger of contaminated soil on site getting into the air. According to the company, the soil will not be disturbed. The result being dust from the site soil “will not be generated during the phase of building removal.”
When asked about the air quality, which was a topic of great concern brought up at the April meeting, Hendrickson said the air quality has “been fine.” The abatement of asbestos began in March.
The asbestos removal is going fine, said Hendrickson.
Another question asked by a resident that is answered on the handout is: “Are there any contaminants moving off-site?” Company officials responded, “Chevron has completed regularly scheduled samplings and monitoring of the Beacon site at multiple locations and has completed several site investigations. The results of these soil and groundwater sampling events have indicated that there are no confirmed contaminants above regulatory levels moving off-site.”
Around the room were diagrams of the types of equipment that would be used during the project, the site cleanup history, an aerial view of the site and project sequence. Approximately 15 people attended the information session, according to Hendrickson.
“This was a site that has significant history. It’s a property in transition. We want to make sure the people in the community understand the process,” remarked Stan Luckoski, public relations for Chevron.
The site was built originally as a textile Mill by the Glenham Co. In 1917 building demolition took place. The Braenburn Woolen Co. built new buildings. In 1931, the site was purchased and renovated by Texaco. At the site, Texaco conducted research and development, as well as technical services related to petroleum products and energy, some of which were stored as fuel for the boiler house and for engine testing for laboratory work, according to the corporation.
In 2001 Chevron acquired Texaco. Two years later the Research Center was closed.
“I think it was pretty necessary based on they had a lot of unanswered questions from last time,” said Fishkill resident Maureen Cotter. She said it was good Chevron is keeping residents up-to-date. Cotter said her main concern is what the town will do after the removal project has been completed.
Any building more than 50 years old, according to Chevron officials, may be considered historic. Chevron has been working with the New York Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation on the matter.
“Several of the buildings may qualify for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places, but due to their physical condition, it is not feasible to re-use them for a future purpose,” was Chevron’s response.
Residents may contact New York Department of Environmental Conservation Paul Patel at 518-402-8602 to see if Chevron is in compliance at the site.
If residents have questions, concerns, or would like to obtain information about the site, they should contact Mike Lawlor at 845-440-0037.
