Elizabeth Mine
Community Advisory Group Meeting
EMCAG Members
and Alternates Present: Deby Botelho, Linda Cook, Tom Essex, John Freitag, Neal Meglathery,
Gwenda Smith, Scott Stokoe, Bob Walker and Steve Willbanks
Copperas Hill
Coalition:
Fred Moody
VT Agency of
Natural Resources: John Schmeltzer
EPA: Ed Hathaway, Bill Lovely and Steve Novick
URS: Jason Clere and Chris
Hatton
Copperas Hill
Coalition: Lori
Barg, Anne Clift, Dick McGaw, and
Fred Moody
Adamant
Accord:
Cindy Cook, Facilitator
Ed
Hathaway reported that EPA is taking samples at the site this month, and that
the team is working with the Strafford and Thetford Selectboards on ways to
reduce traffic impacts associated with the emergency stabilization work.
Traffic
levels for the installation of a diversion pipe will be similar to the truck
levels in April, when the filter was installed.
The second part of the stabilization work—the construction of a
buttress—involves significantly more truck traffic.
The
truck route that was agreed upon with the Strafford Selectboard is VT Route 132
to
In
response to a question, Ed stated that while nothing is off the table, the
construction of a new access road would be time-consuming to complete. While an access road might be justified if
the entire cleanup is funded, it is difficult to justify the expense for this
limited emergency work.
John
Freitag asked why erosion control measures were not more extensive for the work
that was completed earlier this year. Ed
responded that the entire site is eroding rapidly, and that he doesn’t think
that the work that was done earlier this year exacerbated the problem. His team has removed dump truck loads of
eroded material from the weir at the base of TP-3. Scott Acone added that he inspected the site
earlier in the day, and the areas where his team worked were not eroding.
John
Schmeltzer reported that he met with representatives of the Vermont Agency of
Transportation (AOT) earlier in the day, and their initial assessment was that
the welded joint in the Tyson bridge was sound enough
to handle the truck traffic associated with the emergency work. AOT based its
calculations on 55-ton trucks, and will recalculate, based on the larger
(70-ton) trucks that are now proposed.
AOT will conduct inspections of the bridge during and post
construction. ANR is committed to
working with EPA and AOT to repair any damage to the bridge resulting from the
emergency construction traffic.
EPA
committed to inspecting houses within 25 feet of Tyson and Mine Roads, and will
repair any damage directly attributable to traffic related to the emergency
work. John Schmeltzer said that they
would also inspect the roadways before and after the project. ANR has asked that AOT have an inspection
team present on VT Route 132 to periodically inspect trucks and to be a
presence during project work.
John
Freitag noted that there will be flaggers at both ends of
There
was some discussion regarding whether or not truck restrictions on
In
response to question, Scott Acone stated that trucks will be covered while
traveling both to and from the site. In
response to a concern from the Thetford School Board, Ed agreed that truck
traffic will be minimized on VT Route 132 between Tucker Hill and Tyson during
the times that school buses travel this part of Route 132. Ed noted that to do this, he needs the
Thetford school bus schedule, which he has asked for, but still has not
received.
Bob
Walker asked that drivers be asked to minimize idling of their vehicles, as it
results in air pollution.
Peggy
Thorp and others noted that the
In
response to a question, Scott Acone stated that Conti Environmental is the firm
that will do the construction work. They
have not yet hired a subcontractor.
Scott will circulate a contact list for concerns regarding the
construction work. He noted that their
contractor is obligated to follow the Army Corps’ direction during
construction, including adherence to the traffic safety plan.
Ed
and Steve Novick stated that they will prepare a project Health and Safety Plan
that addresses the concerns of the Strafford and Thetford Selectboards, as well
as those of the Newton School Principal.
Linda
Cook asked if surrounding towns should communicate directly with EPA, or work
through the Strafford Selectboard. Ed
stated that he would prefer that each town communicate directly with EPA.
Lori
Barg noted that active treatment is planned for the buttress construction work
next spring, and suggested that active treatment also be used this fall, while
the pond on TP-1 is being drained. Other
than that, she thinks that the design of the diversion pipe is fine. Dick and Anne both noted that they are happy
with the diversion pipe design.
Ed
noted that he is concerned about safety issues during construction. He is working with the landowners to secure
the site, and to provide opportunities for controlled site visits, to ensure
everyone’s safety.
Lori
Barg asked for more time to review draft meeting summaries and engineering
designs. Cindy noted that the drafts
were circulated for the EMCAG’s review several months ago. Scott responded that
the project schedule is tight, and the project team presented plans to Lori
that afternoon because they had just been completed.
Fred
Moody noted with sorrow the death of Woody Reed. He asked if the EMCAG wants to seek another
wetlands expert, and if a traffic expert is needed. He also raised the possibility of hiring an
expert to oversee the foundation inspections.
Scott
Acone explained that the inspections are pretty straightforward. They involve video documentation, and
measurement of existing conditions, including foundation angles. The engineering judgment comes in analyzing
the cause of any changes. Steve Novick
noted that the houses that will be inspected are private property, and that if
CHC hires an engineer to oversee the inspection work, the person hired will
need to make his or her own arrangements for access.
John,
Steve, Tom and Neal expressed support for hiring a CHC advisor to oversee the
foundation inspections. Bob, Scott, Deb
and Linda stated that they did not feel that CHC funds should be used for
inspection oversight, and noted that they hoped that another source of funds
could be found to give homeowners assurance that the inspections would be
conducted carefully and professionally.
Lori
asked what the sand that will be hauled to the site this fall will be used
for. Jason stated that it would be used
for a sand filter on the face of the buttress to provide drainage. The main body of the buttress will be glacial
till. A location for the stockpiled
material has not yet been chosen.
Election of Officers
Steve
Willbanks and Linda Cook were nominated for the position of Vice Chair. The Vice Chair will become chair on December
11. Steve Willbanks was elected Vice
Chair. Gwenda Smith was re-elected
Secretary, and Deby Botelho was elected Treasurer.
The
next EMCAG meeting will be on December 10th.
The
meeting was adjourned at approximately