I was astonished and angry while reading Andrea Estes’s article published by the Plymouth Independent on Jan. 12 entitled “Controversial condo development would overlook toxic waste site.” I’ve lived in town for years and this was shocking news to me. I live a half mile from a toxic waste dump? I frequently walk the glorious seaside trail which runs at the edge of this dump? I often have grandchildren and dogs with me. How could I not have known?
For at least a year, I have been attending public meetings and hearings pertaining to the 40B Pulte Homes proposal to build 163 condominiums in my neighborhood. (The only thing separating the toxic waste site from 63 of these proposed condominiums is the seaside trail.) Not once at any of these meetings has any private citizen, appointed committee member, elected official or Pulte representative mentioned this significant piece of information.
As the article points out, the site has been cleaned up and was removed from the EPA National Priorities list but is still subject to five-year reviews, the last having been completed in 2023, which noted that “unhoused” people had been tenting on the site.
Also importantly noted in Estes’s article is that the property is deed restricted and can’t be used for residential or recreational purposes. Given all this information, it seems to me that at the very least, this site should be securely cordoned off, and signage should warn walkers to use extra caution. The town and the owners of this property have a duty to protect citizens and visitors from possible danger. Who will step up and take responsibility?
– Carol Jankowski