Committee approves change order for more soil and groundwater testing at 5 West Palatine Road

The Infrastructure & Environment Committee approved a change order to collect additional soil and groundwater data at 5 West Palatine Road, a village-owned parcel at the southwest corner of Palatine Road and Plum Grove Road. Chair moved the motion and it passed by voice vote.

A staff member explained the village previously addressed leaking underground storage tanks and obtained satisfactory closures with the state, and said the current change order would "quantify other known constituents" such as mercury and lead and assess potential "groundwater impacts for indoor inhalation exposure." The staff member stated the change order amount as $24,324 and said the environmental consultant is establishing the work plan as the project continues.

Committee members pressed whether this change order would conclude the cleanup; a committee member asked if this would be "the final step before we move forward." Staff replied it would not be final, saying the work will "further quantify the volume of material that would have to be removed from the site" and that "at a very minimum I would expect at least one more" change order. Staff added regulations governing groundwater and indoor-inhalation exposures have changed during the cleanup, requiring additional well work and reassessment.

Staff told the committee the cleanup efforts to date and the change orders have been funded from an escrow established by the prior owner's lender. The staff member said they expect to report back by year-end on the results of the submittal that will guide next steps.

The committee voted by voice to approve the change order and then adjourned its meeting.