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Selectmen Vote To Allow State DEEP To Head Schlumberger Env. Cleanup

Contaminants on the property include the contents of a leaky oil tank, as well as higher-than-normal levels of the element beryllium.

A tough decision lay before the Monday afternoon: Take the faster course of action or the safer one.

The board voted unanimously in favor of the safer option of allowing the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) oversee the cleanup of contaminants at the recently purchased Schlumberger property in the middle of town.

Ridgefield voters approved late last year the town's $6 million purchase of the 45-acre campus that once housed but has been empty for about six years.

The choice before the board was to either have the DEEP oversee the project, which could take the maximum amount of time (eight years) to come to completion, or have a licensed environmental professional (LEP) hired by Schlumberger lead the remediation.

Ultimately, the board decided it would be better in the long run to be assured of a thorough cleanup via the DEEP option rather than depend on Schlumberger's hire, which First Selectman Rudy Marconi likened to "leaving the fox in charge of the chicken coop."

"The most prudent path is going with the DEEP," Selectman Andrew Bodner said. "The LEP doesn't work for us."

Bodner was once a more outspoken proponent of flipping the property as soon as possible to return the town's investment -- he decided Tuesday, however, that it would be more beneficial to the town to get it done right the first time.

"It's better to have somebody in charge who doesn't have a dog in the fight," said Selectwoman Di Masters.

Contaminants on the property include the contents of a leaky oil tank, as well as higher-than-normal levels of the element beryllium -- the DEEP considers neither to be a significant threat to human health or the environment, though, and would therefore not assign it a priority.

"I don't have a problem with it taking a little longer," Selectwoman Barbara Manners said. "If you want to flip it as fast as you can, it's not going to happen with the DEEP, but there's no assurance of complete protection if we go with the LEP."

Michael Gibney May 1, 2012 at 02:26 pm
The story has been corrected to indicate the deadline of eight years until completion of the remediation, not 13. Thank you. -MG
TAB May 1, 2012 at 04:00 pm
This is misleading as it indicates that the Town can "allow" the State to oversee the remediation. The State has already indicated that it does not feel that the property's environmental condition warrants state oversight. Also, the BoS already agreed in the purchase and sales contract to Schlumberger's Licensed Environmental Professional (LEP) controlling the remediation process.
sebastian dangerfield May 1, 2012 at 04:19 pm
Its not really a surprise. Democrats always feel that government runs things better. What better option, then --have to go with DEEP.
The fox in the hen house? This guy is not smart. If its not done properly, then you sue--and last I looked, Sclhlumberger is an extremely successful company with loads of cash. So, we choose to take the inefficient (by definition, as it's government) route--. Where they dont do the work, but oversee the work. So, this 'fast flip" --seems to be ruled out. Wow--what a surprise. That 'art dealer" must be so patient. And all those extremely valuable plots of land that no developer wanted---they also must be lined up waiting to buy this crap. This marconi guy just wastes money.....and everyone buys into it. When is anyone going to realize how inept he is? We live in a town that buys contaminated property---donates money to a library that cant even forecast building fees--- and thinks that its a bad idea to have SLB manage the cleanup--because 'its fox in the hen house.' Does Rudy know that ultimately, DEEP has to sign off on this? So if SLB manages the clean up--its not as if they will get away with the chickens. It will just be done more efficiently and faster. its so irritating that our town citizens place so much faith in a guy who managed on successive storms to have the worst record of managing the disasters. When are people going to wake up --and realize he is the wrong decision maker?
david_jones May 1, 2012 at 05:23 pm
Of course we should let the state DEEP be the overseers. Would you ever buy a new house and let the seller do the inspection for you?
"Yep, everything looks good here, Don't worry that the furnace won't start... with global warming, you won't be needing a furnace anyway..." Of course an inspection should be done by an independent entity.
Tony Di Preta May 1, 2012 at 05:48 pm
The all five BOS lied, they kept the truth from the votes,hate to say this, i told you so can't trust them........what a mess agian!
sebastian dangerfield May 1, 2012 at 07:07 pm
??
David--you have it backwards. DEEP will ultimately come in and review the work. In this case, DEEP will review their own work. If you are true to your ideology, you will say 'oh yeah, we should let SLB do it, because DEEP will then analyze and review the clean-up with a keener eye. A cynic would not want the inspection done by the people who did the work. This is what will happen here.
david_jones May 1, 2012 at 07:55 pm
Luca: I think you are not reading this situation correctly. The state DEEP has said they don't have the time nor inclination to look closely at this Schlumberger situation. They are too busy with more pressing environmental issues. So I think it is wishful thinking for you to say the DEEP will come in with a keener eye. They said they won't. How is it you know better?
Let's call a spade a spade. I think some people have an agenda of trying to find fault with everything the BOS does with regards to Schlumberger. It's unfair and not very mature in my view. The BOS is trying to make sure the property is environmentally safe, to that end they are are opting to go with an independent audit of the property. I think at best, it is a desperate argument to find fault with these good intentions.
sebastian dangerfield May 2, 2012 at 02:02 am
david
Im sorry you make no sense whatsoever. Where do you read or know that the DEEP would ever say that they do not have the time or inclination to monitor SLB? Of course they have not said this...otherwise Rudy would make even less sense in opting for them? Your conclusion that some people just have it out for the BOS? My sense is that you simply support them no matter what? The difference in our respective contentions is that my scenario makes sense, and yours does not. But , once again--why the heck would the DEEP ever say they dont have time--and then Rudy hires them? Are you thinking straight David? (this is where david will no longer answer,because people on this blog never want to admit they are wrong---)
david_jones May 2, 2012 at 02:24 am
Luca, you are so wrong. Again.
In the Ridgefield Press article, it says: "The pollution on the Schlumberger property isn’t the kind of serious threat that the state feels requires its involvement." The article goes on to further suggest the DEEP has little interest in overseeing the Schlumberger situation at this time. Luca, do you ever get tired of being you. I know I get tired of listening to you. But do you ever get tired of being you?
sebastian dangerfield May 3, 2012 at 12:38 am
david jones
Sorry-but you dont understand the issue. DEEP is always involved in the oversight of environmental contamination. They say here that they prefer that someone else manage the actual cleanup--and that is normal. Because they dont generally do that work. They outsource it. But they always will review the work once its done. david, you might be able to google stuff and then interpret it--but youre still wrong. DEEp will provide either SLB or the town with an acceptable (licenced) waste removal company. Once the waste removal company finishes the job, DEEP will come in, do the testing, and give the project its approval or tell the waste removal company they havent solved the problem. Your analogy of the homeowner doing an inspecton, is just dumb. Just like your question if I get tired of being me. Do you get tired of always slightly missing the point , david? Does it upset you that you are a step slower than your successful counterparts at work or in your social circle? Im fine with it. Ill continue to help you understand. Im patient like that david. Ive worked with the challenged before.

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Leoj June 13, 2013 at 08:34 am
These types of things are not to be discussed in Happy Valley.
Skeptic June 13, 2013 at 09:10 am
disgusting. it is terrible that this most likely will be another coverup on the part of the RPD.
Thunder Hill June 13, 2013 at 02:08 pm
Where is this estate sale? It says "Main St to Governor St". Is that a partial direction?Read More Then where do I go?
Lee Pepin June 13, 2013 at 06:09 pm
Any saltwater fishing gear? Where is it?