spring field community involvment plan - june 2011
TRANSCRIPT
99TH REGIONAL SUPPORT COMMAND
Community Involvement Plan
Arthur MacArthur U.S. Army Reserve Center
Springfield, Mass.
June 2011
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1.0: Overview of the Community Involvement Plan ………………………….. 1
Section 2.0: Capsule Site Description …………………………………………………. 1
2.1: Site History, Description, Location……………………………………..… 1
2.2: Site Inspections and Cleanup Activities ………………………………….. 3
Section 3.0: Community Background …………………………………………………. 3
3.1: Community Profile …………………………………………………….…. 3
3.2: History of Community Involvement ……………………………………... 4
3.3: Key Community Concerns ……………………………………………..….. 4
3.4: Response to Community Concerns …………………………………...…… 4
3.5: Summary of Communication Needs ……………………………….….…... 5
Section 4.0: The 99th
RSC’s Community Involvement Program ………………….….… 5
4.1: The Plan ……………………………………………………………….…… 5
4.2: Projected Schedule for Community Involvement Activities …………...…. 6
Appendices:
A Primary Contacts …………………………………………….…………...... 7
B Local Officials ………………………………………..…………….....…… 9
C State and Federal Elected Officials ………………………………….……. 10
D Media Contacts ……………………………………………………………. 11
E Meeting Locations ……………………………………………………...…. 13
F Repository Location …………………………………………………….… 13
Section 1.0
Overview of the Community Involvement Plan
The 99th
RSC developed this Community Involvement Plan to facilitate two-way
communications between the community surrounding the Arthur MacArthur U.S. Army Reserve
Center and the 99th
RSC, and to encourage community involvement in site activities. The 99th
RSC will use the community involvement activities outlined in this plan to ensure that residents
are continuously informed and provided opportunities to be involved.
This Community Involvement Plan addresses the Arthur MacArthur U.S. Army Reserve
Center’s relationship to the community and the 99th
RSC (Section 2.0), provides a background of
the community (Section 3.0), presents the 99th
RSC’s community involvement program (Section
4.0), and provides a listing of resources available (Appendices). The 99th
RSC drew upon several
information sources to develop this plan, including site files and historical data. The 99th
RSC
will oversee the implementation of the community involvement activities outlined in this plan.
Section 2.0
Capsule Site Description
2.1: Site History, Description, Location
The Arthur MacArthur U.S. Army Reserve Center located at 50 East Street, Springfield, Mass.,
occupies five acres of land that were purchased in 1952. The MacArthur ARC contains two
permanent structures and two parking lots, as well as a two-acre wooded area (Figure 1).
Construction of both the Administration Building and the Organizational Maintenance Shop
were completed in 1956.
On Oct. 15, 2006, a 60-milimeter, high-explosive M49A2 mortar was discovered in the
undeveloped two-acre wooded area on the northern part of the property behind the ARC by a
unit that was digging during a training exercise. The mortar’s fuse was identified as a M52 and
the mortar was filled with TNT, as was described in the Westover Air Reserve Base EOD
(Explosives Ordnance Disposal) unit’s after-action report.
The round was initially removed by the Springfield Bomb Disposal Unit, after which the
Westover Air Reserve Base EOD team attempted to conduct a sweep/scan to locate any
additional Munitions or Explosives of Concern (MEC). The team was unable to complete the
scan due to metallic interference in the subsurface, caused by what was described as medical
waste by the team that completed a test pit. The entire perimeter of the two-acre portion abuts
residential backyards.
Although several years passed between the time when the MEC was discovered and the initial
survey of the site, possible additional MEC on the site posed little threat to local residents or
Soldiers using the facility. The area in question is fenced-in private property, and “No
Trespassing” signs are posted around the area. Additionally, initial sweeps of the area would
have located any addition surface MEC that could have posed a threat.
The area was further characterized from Aug. 30 to Sept. 3, 2010, with a digital geophysical
survey conducted using Geometrics G858G magnetic gradiometers (aka magnetometers). Ten to
15 distinct clusters of multiple-anomaly sources were identified. Multiple sources are indicative
of potential fill pits.
One possible trench-and-fill area may be located near the southern edge of the area of
investigation approximately 15- to 20-feet north of the parking area edge. Whether this is a
trenched-and-filled feature or a linear accumulation of near-surface to surface debris is unknown.
There are 100-150 or more outlier anomalies distributed across the survey area, primarily in the
southern and eastern portions of the site, and may be due to incidental discarding of debris. The
generally wide-spread distribution is not suggestive of an organized disposal process.
Approximately 100 to 200 pounds of mostly construction and household debris was removed
from the site. No evidence of the presence of any type of military munitions or munitions
disposal was found during the surface clearance.
The MacArthur ARC property has been slated for disposal by the Army Reserve per the 2005
Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) commission. The planned reuse of the building is by the
Town of Springfield as administrative space for its police department, but this transfer cannot
happen until the land is cleared by the survey team.
Figure 1. MacArthur ARC maintenance facility and adjacent two-acre wooded area
2.2: Site Inspections and Cleanup Activities
In order to excavate the detected anomalies, an Explosives Site Plan (ESP) as per Department of
Defense regulations is required to be developed and approved. Currently, the ESP is being
drafted for the excavation phase which is planned for Summer 2011. Excavation with a live
round requires either total evacuation within the potential blast zone (which is impossible since
dozens of residential homes surround the property) or the use of a physical blast barrier. The
decision has been made to use a miniature open-faced barricade, which is a standalone, 800-
pound device that will be placed over each anomaly during excavation.
During the excavation phase, six of the fill areas will be investigated with a backhoe and
screened for MEC. Additionally, the fill will be characterized and soil samples taken to indicate
if any releases are associated with observed fill. In addition, 50 of the anomalies will be
identified for intrusive investigation using the miniature open-front (blast) barricade to reduce
the safety exclusion zone associated with a 60-milimeter mortar round.
A MEC Hazard Assessment is also required as part of a Remedial Investigation and will evaluate
the potential explosive hazard associated with a site’s given current conditions and under various
cleanup, land-use activities, and land-use control alternatives. A Feasibility Study will also be
completed to support alternatives and assist in the decision-making process.
Section 3.0
Community Background
3.1: Community Profile
Springfield was established in 1636 at the junction of the Agawam and Connecticut Rivers as a
trading and fur-collecting post. In 1641, the town of Springfield was incorporated. Springfield
officially became a city in May 1852.
Springfield’s location at the crossroads of New England is the most significant reason for its
progress and continuing economic success. The Connecticut River served as an easy and
economical means of transportation north and south for early settlers. Midway between New
York and Boston and on the road between New York and Canada, Springfield is ideally located
for travel in all directions.
From its fur-trading and agricultural beginnings, Springfield gradually grew into a thriving
industrial community. In the 18th
century, the power of the Connecticut River was harnessed.
Mills of all varieties grew up and a skilled labor force came into being. Because of the area’s
location and technological advancements, particularly in metal crafts, the United States Armory
was located here in 1794, resulting in further industrial development.
In the 19th
century, Springfield became a major railroad center and experienced another
industrial boom. The city grew, and such industries as printing, machine manufacture, insurance,
and finance took hold and prospered.
Census 2010 data for Massachusetts shows that Springfield is the state’s third-most populous
city with 153,060 residents, a 0.6-percent increase from 2000. At the 2000 census, there were
152,082 people, 57,130 households and 36,391 families residing in the city. There are nearly
two-million residents in the greater Springfield-Hartford metro region.
Twenty-seven percent of the population was Hispanic of any race, and translation services may
be beneficial to them when receiving information circulated about the MacArthur ARC site.
There were 57,130 households, of which 34 percent had children under the age of 18 living with
them, 35 percent were married couples living together, 24 percent had a female householder with
no husband present, and 36 percent were non-families. Thirty percent of all households were
made up of individuals and 11.4 percent had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or
older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.19.
In 2007, Springfield's median age was 32.7. The US median was 37.6. Forty-four percent of
people in Springfield are married; 10 percent are divorced. Springfield's age distribution was 29
percent under the age of 18, 11 percent from 18 to 24, 28 percent from 25 to 44, 19 percent from
45 to 64, and 12 percent who were 65 years of age or older.
In 2007, the median household income was $30,417, and the median family income was
$36,285. Males had a median income of $32,396 versus $26,536 for females. The per capita
income for the city was $15,232. Nineteen percent of families and 23 percent of the population
were below the poverty line, including 34 percent of those under age 18 and 12 percent of those
age 65 or over.
As of October 2008, 52 percent of voters were registered Democrats, 9 percent were registered
Republican, and 39 percent were independent.
3.2: History of Community Involvement
Community citizens have not historically been involved in the MacArthur ARC environmental
investigation.
3.3: Key Community Concerns
Historical data suggests that community citizens would be primarily concerned about additional
MEC being present at the MacArthur ARC and the potential danger it could pose if an
uncontrolled detonation occurred. Secondary concerns include potential soil and water
contamination from additional MEC or other debris that may be buried on site.
3.4: Response to Community Concerns
On Sept. 1, 2010, the 99th
RSC published an article on the official U.S. Army homepage titled,
“Safety tops priority list for Army Reserve environmental survey.” (http://www.army.mil/-
news/2010/09/08/44862-safety-tops-priority-list-for-army-reserve-environmental-survey/) The
story featured interviews with representatives from 99th
RSC Environmental as well as Stell
Environmental Enterprises and HydroGeoLogic, Inc., the two contractors conducting the site
survey. The story explained how the MEC was found on the site, what the current survey
entailed, and the future plans for remedial investigation.
3.5: Summary of Communication Needs
Historically, residents want to be kept abreast of current and proposed cleanup activities at the
affected site, the impact of these activities on the surrounding community, and any potential
health effects of past or current activities at the site. Evidence suggests that fact sheets or flyers
mailed directly to local residents’ homes is the most effective way for the 99th
RSC to
communicate with the community. Should the responses to the flyers warrant further public
involvement, a public meeting may be proposed. This could offer an effective forum for officials
to relay information to the community and respond to community concerns. Publishing
information in newspapers, on web sites and on social media sites are also viable options.
Section 4.0
The 99th
RSC’s Community Involvement Program
4.1: The Plan
The overall goal of the 99th
RSC’s community involvement program is to promote two-way
communication between citizens and the 99th
RSC, and to provide opportunities to the
community for meaningful and active involvement in the process. The 99th
RSC will implement
the community involvement activities described below. The following plan is based on the
results of the research described earlier; it addresses each issue that was identified as being
important to the community.
Issue 1: Additional MEC present at the site, Potential soil/water contamination
Activity 1A: Newspaper Notices/Stories
Objective: To provide local residents with peace of mind in regard to their
safety, and to inform them of investigation results.
Method: The 99th
RSC will publish these notices/stories in local newspapers,
and possibly on local television channels and radio stations. Notices/stories
will also appear on the 99th
RSC web site, social media sites, and possibly the
official Springfield web site and media outlet web sites.
Timing: The initial notice/story should be published one month prior to the
investigation. Additional notices/stories will be published one week prior to
and one week following the investigation, and during the investigation as
needed.
Activity 1B: Individual Mailings
Objective: To provide local residents with peace of mind in regard to their
safety, and to inform them of investigation results.
Method: The 99th
RSC will mail these notices to individual residences within
the affected area.
Timing: The initial notice should be mailed one month prior to the
investigation. Additional notices will be mailed one week prior to and one
week following the investigation.
Activity 1A: Public Meetings
Objective: To provide local residents with peace of mind in regard to their
safety, and to inform them of investigation results.
Method: The 99th
RSC will host these meetings in a location that is agreeable
to the residents in question. The meetings will be public and advertised to
media outlets, whose coverage will help further spread the word.
Timing: The meetings will be held as necessary per responses to the flyers,
stories and notices.
4.2: Projected Schedule for Community Involvement Activities
Initial Notice of Remedial Investigation 3 months prior to investigation
Subsequent Notices/Mailings (stating date of
investigation)
1 month prior to investigation
Additional Public Meetings, Notices,
Mailings
1 week prior to investigation, and during the
investigation as needed
Follow-on Meetings, Notices, Mailings 1 week following the investigation
Appendix A
Primary Contacts
99th
RSC Public Affairs Office (Primary POC)
Shawn Morris
5231 South Scott Plaza
Fort Dix, NJ, 08640
609-562-7428 (office)
732-773-3026 (cell)
99th
RSC Installation Restoration Program Coordinator
Laura Dell'Olio
Contractor for 99th
RSC
5231 South Scott Plaza
Fort Dix, NJ, 08640
609-562-7661 (office)
919-270-7376 (cell)
99th
RSC Environmental Division, Chief
Jeffrey Hrzic
5231 South Scott Plaza
Fort Dix, NJ, 08640
Base Transition Coordinator
Gary Puryear
Office: 978-784-3771
Cell: 724-759-4473
Contractor
Stell Environmental, Inc.
Darlene Stringos-Walker
Primary Environmental Consultant
25 East Main Street
Elverson, PA 19520
484-366-2088
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Traci A. Fambrough
Planning, Environmental, and Regulatory Division, Fort Worth District
819 Taylor Street, Room 3A12
Fort Worth, TX 76102
817-886-1485
State of Massachusetts
Anne Malewicz
Section Chief - DOD Sites
One Winter Street
Boston MA 02108
617-292-5659
Cynthia Pawalowski
Western Regional Office MA DEP
436 Dwight Street
Springfield MA 01103
413-784-1100
Appendix B
Local Officials
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno
Elected November 6, 2007
36 Court Street
Springfield, MA 01103
Phone: (413) 787-6000
Mayor Sarno's Staff:
Denise R. Jordan, Chief of Staff
Thomas T. Walsh, J.D, Communications Director
James F. Leydon, Constituent Services Director
Carolyn Y. Jackson, Administrative Assistant
Darryl E. Moss and Jose M. Delgado, Mayoral Aides
Board of Public Works
70 Tapley Street, Springfield, MA 01104
8:00am - 4:00pm; Monday - Friday
Phone (413) 787-6213
Fax (413) 787-6212
Public Health Council
Room 201, 95 State Street
Springfield, Massachusetts 01103
8:15 - 4:30, Monday - Friday
Phone: (413)787-6740
Police Dept.
130 Pearl Street
Springfield, MA 01105
Non-emergency matters: (413) 787-6302
Fire Dept.
Gary G. Cassanelli, Chief Commissioner
605 Worthington Street
Springfield, MA 01105
Non-emergency matters: (413) 787-6411
Appendix C
State and Federal Elected Officials
Governor Deval Patrick (D)
Massachusetts State House, Room 360
Boston, MA 02133
Phone (617) 725-4005
State Senator Gale D. Candaras (D)
State House, Room 309
Boston, MA 02133
Phone: (617) 722-1291
Fax: (617) 722-1014
Email: [email protected]
State Representative Sean Curran (D)
State House, Room 473B
Boston, MA 02133
Phone: (617) 722-2263
Fax: (617) 626-0678
Email: [email protected]
U.S. Senator John F. Kerry (D)
218 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2742
Web Form: kerry.senate.gov/contact/
U.S. Senator Scott P. Brown (R)
359 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4543
Web Form: scottbrown.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/emailscottbrown
U.S. Representative Richard Neal (D)
300 State Street, Suite 200
Springfield, MA 01105
(413) 785-0325
(413) 747-0604 fax
Appendix D
Media Contacts
Newspapers
The Republican and El Pueblo Latino
- Mark A. French, Advertising Director, 413-788-1108, Email: [email protected]
- Place a Classified Ad: Phone: 413-788-1234
- Place a Retail Ad: Phone: 413-788-1250
- Place a National Ad: Phone: 413-788-1050, Toll-free in Mass., 1-800-445-0448
The Reminder
- Ads - Elizabeth Koelle at (413) 525-3247 ext. 133 or
- News - Managing Editor G. Michael Dobbs at (413) 525-3247 ext. 103 or
Valley Advocate
- 115 Conz St., P.O. Box 477
Northampton, MA 01061
(413) 529-2840
(413) 529-2844 fax
Unity First
- Phone: (413) 221-7931 | Advertising Inquiries: [email protected]
Television
Channel Call Sign Network Owner
3 WSHM-LP CBS Meredith Corporation
22 WWLP NBC LIN TV
28 WFXQ-CA NBC LIN TV
34 WTXX-LP Independent Independent owner
40 WGGB ABC, FOX, MyNetworkTV Gormally Broadcasting
43 WHTX-LP Univision Entravision Communications
57 WGBY PBS WGBH Educational Foundation
Cable Television
Springfield proper is serviced exclusively by Comcast cable.
Radio
Call sign Frequency City/town Network affiliation /
owner Format
WFCR 88.5 FM Amherst University of Mass. Public Radio
WSKB 89.5 FM Westfield Westfield State College Public Radio
WSCB 89.9 FM Springfield Springfield College Public Radio
WTCC 90.7 FM Springfield Springfield Technical
Community College
Public Radio
WAIC 91.9 FM Springfield American Int. College Public Radio
WHYN-
FM
93.1 FM Springfield Clear Channel
Hot Adult
Contemporary
WMAS-
FM
94.7 FM Springfield Citadel Broadcasting
Corporation
Adult contemporary
(Country on HD2)
WPKX 97.9 FM Springfield Clear Channel
Country (Americana
on HD2)
WLZX 99.3 FM Northampton/Springfield Saga Communications
of New England
"Everything That
Rocks"
WLCQ-
LP
99.7 FM Feeding Hills Lighthouse Christian
Center
Christian Rock/Pop
Music, "The Q"
WRNX 100.9 FM Amherst/Springfield Clear Channel AAA
WAQY 102.1 FM Springfield Saga Communications
of New England Classic rock
WCCH 103.5 FM Holyoke
Holyoke Community
College
Public Radio
WNEK-
FM
105.1 FM Springfield Western New England
College
Public Radio
WVEI-
FM
105.5 FM Easthampton/Springfield Entercom
Communications
Sports Talk (simulcast
of WEEI-AM in
Boston)
WEIB 106.3 FM Northampton/Springfield Cutting Edge
Broadcasting Smooth Jazz
WHYN 560 AM Springfield Clear Channel News/Talk
WNNZ 640 AM Westfield Clear Channel Public Radio
WACE 730 AM Chicopee
Carter Broadcasting
Corporation Religious
WARE 1250 AM Ware
Success Signal
Broadcasting Oldies
WPNI 1430 AM Amherst Pamal Broadcastring Public Radio
WHLL 1450 AM Springfield Citadel Broadcasting
Corporation
ESPN Radio affiliate
Appendix E
Meeting Locations
Meetings will be held on an as-needed basis, and meeting locations will be determined at that
time.
Appendix F
Repository Location
Current information and documents are maintained in the Information Repository.
This repository has been established at the:
City of Springfield Central Library
220 State St.
Springfield, MA, 01103
413-263-6828
Hours of operation:
Monday: 12-8
Tuesday: 9-5
Wednesday: 12-8
Thursday: 9-5
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 9-5
Sunday: 12-5