Selectboard hears corrective action plan for historic bunker‑fuel release at 160 Clinton Street

At a public hearing on Aug. 10 the Selectboard received a presentation from SRDC, the Mount Ascutney Regional Commission and Stone Environmental on a Corrective Action Plan for a historic bunker fuel release at the former J&L Plant 1 site at 160 Clinton Street. Consultants described an "enhanced recovery" approach consisting of injection of a plant‑based solvent and surfactant, followed by extraction and on‑site treatment, with treated water discharged to the municipal sewer under permit.

Consultants and Town officials discussed environmental impacts, monitoring, treatment effectiveness and schedule. The transcript records: "The Vermont 39016 Permit is a general permit issued for discharges into municipal wastewater treatment facilities from petroleum related remediation activities." Wastewater Superintendent Nate said the Town will require extensive sampling and verification that treated effluent meets Vermont Water Quality Standards and that the Town can require cessation of discharges if monitoring shows harm. The Board took no formal action; the project will proceed only after VT DEC and EPA approvals and completion of the public comment period on the Environmental Notice Bulletin.