Digging and clean up to begin in Brockport

In what Brockport Mayor Josephine Matela called a historic document signing, GE/Black & Decker and 3M/Dynacolor have signed a formal agreement outlining the specifics of the clean up plan of contaminated soil in the village.

"The agreement is very specific on who will be responsible for cleaning, digging and the overall division of labor for the clean-up project," Matella said. "This is historic in that it is one of the first times two major corporations have come together in an agreement such as this to facilitate and complete a project of this magnitude."

Frank Ricotta, regional director of the Department of Environmental Conservation, said the clean up project is aimed at getting the properties back to residential quality. "This is a very comprehensive project," he explained. "The investigation was very thorough and we feel the clean up will be of good quality and that the neighbors will be satisfied with the end result."

The final result, Ricotta said, will be for the land to be zoned for unrestricted residential use.

Most of the work will be concentrated around Tributary 3 of Brockport Creek. The creek runs through the neighborhoods north of the Erie Canal.

3M/Dynacolor plans to remove contaminated soil along the tributary while GE’s plans call for the removal of soils from nine residential properties north of the former facility at 200 State Street. The properties included in the clean up are on East Avenue, Frazier Street, Keable Court, Lyman Street and Victory Drive. Also included in the plans are cleaning and replacing of storm sewer piping.

GE spokesperson Joan Gerhardt said the cooperation that is taking place as part of the clean up is a great thing for the community. "This will enable us to have one coordinated clean up of the off site areas which is what I believe everyone wanted the goal to be," she said. "We’re pleased to have been able to enter into the clean up plan with 3M."

Gerhardt said the companies are still awaiting final approval from the DEC before they can begin digging. "We’re also waiting for approval from homeowners to access their properties," she said. "We expect the actual heavy lifting and clean up will begin August 19."

Clean up will take about eight to 12 weeks to complete, Gerhardt said. "It will certainly be done before the end of this year."

"3M and GE are fully committed to the clean up and have accepted responsibility and accountability," Ricotta said. "They are following through with the clean up procedures that were approved by the DEC."

Matella said her administration is very encouraged by the start date of the project. "I know that by next year we will look back on this experience as a success for this administration, the companies and for the village."