Shutesbury addresses oil leak cleanup at elementary school

SHUTESBURY — Shutesbury officials are continuing to take corrective action following the recent release of fuel oil from an oil tank in a fuel pump vault outside Shutesbury Elementary School.

Town Administrator Hayley Bolton provided an update to the Select Board at its March 31 meeting on the early March incident that was considered a localized release of No. 2 fuel oil, caused by a failed gasket on a fuel supply pump.

Rainy weather then caused some of the oil to disperse to external areas at the 23 West Pelham Road building.

The state’s Department of Environmental Protection was notified immediately, Bolton said, and Tighe & Bond consultants, as licensed site professionals, and another team from the town’s insurance company, the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association, have been on site.

Western Mass Environmental and Royal Steam is handling the remediation, getting the oil and contaminated soil into barrel for transport off site. There has been disruption at the school, with the oil vacuumed up and absorbent “oil socks” also put down.

Bolton said the town is looking at a $17,000 cleanup cost and a $6,000 replacement cost for the pump and gasket. The town has a $10,000 deductible.

The town declared a state of emergency that allowed for deficit spending, not because there was any concern for health and well being of students and staff, Bolton said.

“There’s not any indication there was any hazard or air quality effect with the students,” Bolton said.

The leaked oil is also not supposed to represent a threat to drinking water. The town, though, will do some proactive testing for abutting properties to the site as a good faith measure, she said.

All environmental reports will go to the state.

Fire Chief Leonard Czerwonka, who is also the town’s emergency management director, provide a temporary fix with a rubber membrane placed over the tank to prevent more water from getting in.

Bolton said the town will likely will need a more permanent solution, that could include an above ground tank that would have significant added costs.

Shutesbury was recently certified by the state as one of the latest Climate Leader Communities. Bolton said this designation could allow the town find a more sustainable long term solution and capital costs associated with infrastructure.

That program offers communities grants for up to $1.15 million.

May 9 town election

In other business, the Select Board got an update from Matteo Pangallo, serving as the interim town clerk and election administrator, about the May 9 town election, which will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the elementary school.

That day is also annual Town Meeting, which starts at 9 a.m.

The vacant town clerk position will be on the ballot, though no one is running for the seat that could become appointed. A ballot vote is the second step, after previous Town Meeting action, to change the position from being elected.

Among other positions with no candidates are open seats as constable, for Planning Board and for School Committee.

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