Shelton Brownfields To Undergo Major Cleanup

After a thorough assessment of 's brownfields, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency along with state and local organizations have determined that the 70-acre area needs to be cleaned up for both immediate and foreseeable safety reasons.

The EPA has already awarded a $200,000 grant to the project, but the Shelton Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) is currently writing grant proposals, as additional funding is needed.

The brownfields is an area within downtown Shelton, easily spotted on Canal Street adjacent to the Housatonic River. The properties include former industrial sites for textile, chemical manufacturing, rubber and sponge products, metal finishing and polishing, and fuel blending. Cel-lastik and Axon Cross plants once formerly occupied the now open land.

Assessments of collection samples from the brownfields revealed that the soil showed a wide range of contamination that exceeds what is considered safe exposure, including the following:

• A continuing source of metals (lead, arsenic, chromium, among others) to the surface water and groundwater with potential indoor air concerns
• Multiple sources of pollution likely, including failing asbestos wall materials

Furthermore, this target area is located in the census tract with the highest percentage of low-to-moderate income individuals in Shelton. Additionally, most of the low-income housing resides within this downtown area. Though the report notes that the area “has been a source of blight for many years,” some say the land has great potential.

Jim Oram, a member of the Citizen’s Advisory Board (which works with the SEDC on all its projects and is actively involved in the Canal Street cleanup), said that there are a few parcels that could be developed into construction sites.

“This could go from bringing the city basically nothing in terms of tax revenue to a place for business or housing or whatever it might turn into,” Oram said.

As for health issues, Oram said there is no immediate threat to citizens. The ground is perfectly safe to walk on, and you won’t catch anything by breathing in the air.

“What seems to be the issue is if you want to put a building on and dig down into the ground,” Oram said. “There’s a possibility you could disturb all sorts of things that could become a health issue. So that’s why these things have to be remediated before you do any further work.”

Oram said that work on the brownfields has been ongoing for years and that the SEDC does not yet have a projected timeline for the project. Those interested can attend a public meeting at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in suite 202 of 475 Howe Ave.