Announcements
and Key Topics
While
testing the debris pile for disposal analysis, EPA identified lead in some of
the debris material. As a precaution, the agency has temporarily paused
work to determine the appropriate next steps for the safe disposal of the
contaminated materials. There will be an additional cost for disposal of the
debris.
EPA
is currently evaluating multiple options for cost and time effectiveness before
the agency proceeds. The site remains secure; the debris pile is covered
and there is no additional risk to community members. EPA will continue to
monitor the site and will resume air monitoring when on-site operations
resume.
Background
The
Webster Mill Removal Site (Site) consists of asbestos-containing building
debris stockpiled in the foundation of the demolished primary site building and
covered with reinforced polyethylene liner and a smaller standing deteriorating
structure. The contaminant of concern is Chrysotile which is the primary type
of asbestos.
In
August 2015, Loureiro Engineering Associates, Inc., performed a demolition
survey on behalf of the owner. The survey identified numerous areas throughout
the now demolished building including roofing, floor tiles, pipe wrap and other
materials containing asbestos and collected samples for asbestos
analysis.
What
Has Been Done to Cleanup the Site?
The
March 2024 emergency demolition of the large primary building was conducted by
Plainville Pump & Excavation on behalf of the town, with assistance from
MassDEP. Following demolition, the building debris was classified as
asbestos-containing waste material with an estimated volume of approximately
7,000 cubic yards.
Prior
to the emergency demolition, the building was in poor condition and asbestos
and other potential hazardous substances could not be abated. To the extent
possible, EPA will separate other hazardous substances from the
asbestos-containing material and properly dispose of them during the
time-critical removal action.
On
October 22, 2024, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
(MassDEP) asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to assess and
address asbestos-containing building debris located on the property belonging
to Webster Mill, LLC. The condition of the vacant building deteriorated over
the years with little to no annual maintenance of the structure, as evidenced
by the February 2024 partial building collapse. Due to its location in a
densely populated residential neighborhood, the town of North Attleborough
conducted an emergency demolition of the primary building structure in March
2024.
What
is the Current Site Status?
On
May 29, 2025, EPA signed an Action Memorandum documenting the request and
approval of the cleanup. The cleanup is scheduled for July 2025. EPA is
coordinated with state and local officials and will release information about
the cleanup to the public prior to starting.
The
Administrative Record is available for review online at:
or
by scanning this QR code.
Locations
to access the online Administrative Record include:
- U.S.
EPA SEMS Records and Information Center, 5 Post Office Square, Suite 100,
Boston, MA, 02109-3912, (617) 918-1440, by appointment.
- Richards
Memorial Library, 118 N. Washington St, North Attleborough, MA 02760,
508-699-0122
