November 10, 2009

 

ELMIRA HEIGHTS --- Some neighbors in Elmira Heights are dealing with possible contamination in their homes that could be dangerous.
     While village officials thought they were on the fast track to taking care of the problem, they've been sidelined by a government agency.
     An environmental law firm held a public hearing last week on the  trichloroethylene contamination in neighborhoods surrounding the Motor Components facility on Route 14.
     But the next step for village officials and residents has been delayed.
     The Environmental Protection Agency cancelled its plans to come to Elmira Heights next week.
     It was supposed to be a four-day long trip that included a public forum to teach people about the dangers of TCE contamination.
     Elmira Heights Mayor Michael Coghlin says he thinks the delay is because the EPA received an overwhelming number of calls from local residents after the public hearing.
     He also says EPA representatives tell him they need to get more funding in place to test more homes near the former Facet-Purolator plant.
     In 1983, the EPA started an extensive remediation effort at that site.
     But in 2007 when it tested homes for vapor intrusion, the village knew nothing about the results.
     “The EPA has been directly communicating with the households they tested,” said Mayor Coghlin. “As far as the village, we have really received next to nothing, so we are really concerned about that.”
     Coghlin says he's now talking regularly with the EPA and has made sure the village gets monthly reports from the state Health Department.
     As far as filing a lawsuit against Motor Components LLC., which now owns the former Purolator property, he says that's not a concern right now.
     "Our number one priority is our residents, number one, we have a safe village and the village is doing everything it can,” Coghlin said.
     He expects the EPA’s public forum to be rescheduled within the next couple weeks.