CONTACT: Edmund.Coletta
(617) 292-5737
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
BOSTON, MA – DECEMBER 26, 2002
Hill Street Nominee Trust, owners of The Hills at Whitinsville, a subdivision in Northbridge, has paid a $5,570 penalty to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for installing sewer lines without first receiving the required state permit.
In February of 2002, DEP personnel learned that sewers had been constructed connecting homes to the Town of Northbridge?s sewer system while the permit application was under review by the state environmental agency. DEP issued an administrative order to the owners on Feb. 28, 2002 requiring that no additional sewer installations be made at the sub-division until a valid permit was obtained. On Oct. 2, 2002, the Hill Street Nominee Trust agreed to sign an Administrative Consent Order requiring the Trust to pay the penalty, to abide by the state sewer extension permit requirements, and to submit plans of the area that had already been constructed so that any deficiencies could be identified and then corrected.
DEP also issued a Notice of Noncompliance to the Town of Northbridge?s Department of Public Works for failure to properly operate the town?s sewer collection system by allowing the installation of sewers without the proper environmental review and permits. Northbridge is currently under an Administrative Consent Order from DEP that requires the town to repair leaks in their sewer system, which has experienced signs of overload, prior to adding sewer service to new areas.
? It is very important that developers obtain their permits prior to construction of extensions to existing sewer systems. These requirements are in place to insure that wastewater treatment facilities and sewer systems are properly constructed and operated,? said Martin Suuberg, director for DEP?s Central Regional Office. ?Proper construction will assure that, among other things, the capacity of the system is not exceeded and that sewer lines are adequately separated from drinking water lines.?
The Department of Environmental Protection is responsible for ensuring clean air and water, safe management of solid and hazardous wastes, timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills, and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources.
