Oil spill detected at North School
Published on March 11th, 1998
STONEHAM, MA - The town of Stoneham could be looking at a big headache, not to mention a pretty significant clean-up bill, from an oil spill which was detected this week at the North School. The state's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the environmental clean-up firm, CYN Oil out of Stoughton, are now leading the clean-up efforts at the North School.
While town estimates were lower, DEP officials estimated Wednesday morning that possibly up to 1,000 gallons of oil had leaked.
DEP spokesperson Joe Ferson said the state would be monitoring the work of CYN as they clean up the area. The town of Stoneham, he said, would be held as the responsible party.
The heavy rains on Monday, brought the situation to light, Fire Chief Lawrence LeMay said, and drew a strong response from the Stoneham Fire Department and the environmental crews.
The remaining fuel in the 3,000 gallon tank was pumped out once the leak was detected. An emergency meeting was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon involving school and town officials to discuss the ex tent of the problem, the immediate steps to contain the spill, and the best way to get the school back up running.
School Supt. Robert Barbarisi said classes were can celed Tuesday while officials worked to set up a temporary oil tank to restore heat to the building. While classes were off anyway Wednesday for teacher conferences, he said he hoped students and staff would be back in the building Thurs-day.
"We believe they will be back (Thursday)," Barbarisi said. "My understanding is we now have heat back in the building and the DEP has said there are no hazards to the students or staff."
The school reportedly houses pre-school and kindergarten classes as well as some special needs programs. On Tuesday, Fire Chief LeMay said some oil spilled out when the tank was filled in recent weeks. Speedy dry was put down, but that may have masked the fact the tank was leaking more seriously, LeMay said.
"They (DEP) responded and made sure the proper procedures were taken by the responsible party, the town of Stoneham," LeMay said.
Fire Department crews remained on the scene until about 7 p.m., Monday. Ferson said the state's investigation into the matter was still in its infancy stage but would involve finding out what happened and why.
Barbarisi said the meeting Tuesday afternoon led by the DEP and included several town offi-cials and centered on what immediate steps needed to be taken to contain the spill and establishing an emergency tank to provide heat to the school in the interim.
There were reportedly no discussions on the eventual costs of the clean up, but officials have acknowledged the town will probably be held responsible.
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