Chemical Concerns at Buckmaster Pond; Selectmen Tighten Fuel Storage Rules-September 12, 1979

Buckmaster Pond Well in Westwood Shows Signs of Contamination

Town Manager John J. Carroll informed the Board of Selectmen last night that the Buckmaster Pond well in Westwood—serving as a secondary water source for Norwood—has exhibited preliminary signs of contamination by an industrial organic chemical.

Tetrachloroethylene Detection and Water Consultant Advice

According to Carroll, a recent water sample from the well revealed a “borderline concentration” of tetrachloroethylene measured at 29.9 parts per billion. It remains undetermined whether the state Department of Environmental Quality Engineering (DEQE) will classify this level of contamination as rendering the water unsafe for human consumption. By comparison, Carroll noted that contamination of the same chemical at the Ellis well fields off Route 1 reached 5,000 parts per billion, a remediation project estimated to cost millions of dollars.

While emphasizing that contamination is currently only a possibility awaiting confirmation through further testing and DEQE analysis scheduled for the week, Carroll acted on advice from municipal water consultant Fay, Spofford & Thorndike to proceed cautiously. Specifically, the consultant advised delaying the installation of a $24,000 underground electrical power line from High Street to the Buckmaster Pond pumphouse—a project low-bid last week to satisfy Westwood officials’ demands.

“I intend to keep working with Westwood to solve the easement problems, but I won’t make any commitments unless I’m sure the risk of losing our investment in the underground service is minimal,” Carroll stated.

If confirmed, Buckmaster Pond would not be Norwood’s first regional water supply impacted by industrial solvents; last spring, the discovery of trichloroethane forced the permanent shutdown of two Dedham Water Company wells near the Westwood-Route 128 industrial park.

Selectmen Tighten Oversight on Large-Capacity Underground Fuel Storage Licenses

License applications for large-capacity underground fuel storage are no longer treated as routine administrative matters by the Board of Selectmen, as local businesses increasingly seek to expand their storage capacities by 5,000, 10,000, or more gallons.

Wiggins Airways Storage Expansion Debate

Heated debate erupted during last night’s meeting regarding an application submitted by Wiggins Airways Inc. for permission to install an additional 10,000-gallon underground storage tank for No. 2 heating oil at its Norwood Airport facility. Plant manager David Everest explained that the fivefold capacity increase would eliminate excessive oil deliveries required to refill the firm’s existing pair of 1,000-gallon tanks.

Fire Chief Thomas J. Barry spoke in strong support of the application, emphasizing public safety. With numerous aircraft operating on the adjacent airfield, minimizing the frequency of fuel delivery trucks entering the area was highly desirable, Barry noted.

Conversely, Selectman Mary J. Fox opposed the measure, arguing that expanding fuel storage trends might compound perceived fuel shortages and reflect businesses stockpiling heating oil to beat market price increases. Everest countered, asserting, “This is not hoarding.”

Environmental and Aquifer Concerns Raised

Bettina S. Cottrell, chairman of the Conservation Commission, warned that the town lacked a comprehensive policy to monitor large-volume underground fuel tanks, risking future environmental hazards as aging containers deteriorate, crack, and seep oil. Noting that the Wiggins tanks sit in close proximity to an aquifer and municipal water supply, Cottrell suggested that water consultants Fay, Spofford & Thorndike be enlisted to draft formal municipal standards for underground fuel storage.

Following her recommendation, selectmen voted 3-1 to approve the Wiggins license subject to environmental review and recommendations by Fay, Spofford & Thorndike and the state DEQE. Furthermore, selectmen directed similar environmental reviews for two pending underground storage applications: Perival Trust of Islington (10,000 gallons of No. 2 heating oil at 10 Providence Highway) and U.S. Warehousing & Distribution Centers Inc. (2,000 gallons of unleaded gasoline at 675 Canton St.), with public hearings scheduled for September 25 and October 2.

Town Manager Carroll noted that stepped-up environmental precautions were already in effect, citing a DEQE requirement that Simoni Flowers on Route 1 erect a concrete or plastic containment barrier around its new 50,000-gallon No. 6 heating oil storage installation.

Selectmen Seek Consultant Study for Town-Owned Vehicles Following Fire Engine Malfunctions

Prompted by equipment malfunctions that sidelined fire apparatus during an emergency response last month, the Board of Selectmen agreed to seek a finance commission reserve fund transfer to finance a comprehensive municipal vehicle maintenance study.

Vehicle Maintenance Review and Civic Center Excise Tax

Town Manager John J. Carroll informed selectmen that hiring an expert consultant to audit and evaluate the town-owned vehicle maintenance program would cost approximately $15,000. Selectmen pursued the study after malfunctioning fire engines during an August 23 fire raised serious questions regarding the reliability and maintenance of municipal fleet vehicles. The Finance Commission (FinCom) expressed strong support for the proposed evaluation.

Additionally, selectmen voted to request a $4,560 reserve fund transfer from the FinCom to cover a mandatory state excise stamp required on the Norwood Civic Center deed to finalize its sale to Norwood Hospital. Town Counsel Justin C. Barton explained that the seller’s tax liability is calculated at $2.28 per $1,000 of valuation.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger