Asbestos abatement violations result in $43,500 fine for Amherst property

AMHERST — A local real estate company is being fined $43,500 for violations during asbestos abatement at the Grand Block building, located at 63-71 South Pleasant St.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection recently levied the fine against Lincoln Management Company, which does business as Lincoln Real Estate.

The violations were observed during an inspection at the property last July.

According to the state, Lincoln failed to apply appropriate asbestos work practices and controls during its asbestos abatement activities. MassDEP’s inspection of the property also identified untrained and unlicensed personnel actively removing asbestos-containing materials. 

“Asbestos regulations require specific work practices to prevent harm to workers, the public and the environment,”  Michael Gorski, director of MassDEP’s Western Regional Office in Springfield, said in a statement. “Exposure to asbestos is dangerous, and compliance with state regulations is a legal obligation; significant penalties will be assessed for violations.” 

Lincoln Real Estate didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Under the terms of MassDEP’s consent order, Lincoln is required to pay $22,000 of the penalty. The balance of the penalty is suspended pending full compliance with the order.

The building had a fire last May, when several tenants on the upper floors were displaced. That fire also caused a brief closure of La Veracruzana restaurant, which has since moved to a North Pleasant Street location. The restaurant space is now occupied by Dulces by Vera.