GREENFIELD — The state Department of Environmental Protection has fined the management company that oversees day-to-day operations of Greenfield Gardens Apartments for asbestos violations that forced residents to temporarily stay in a hotel during cleanup efforts last year.
Mount Holyoke Management LLC of Holyoke will have to pay $35,670 for asbestos violations at the 202-unit housing complex on Pray Drive, according to MassDEP. The violations were discovered in February of 2020 after the state agency received a tenant’s complaint describing renovations and disturbances of asbestos-containing materials in several apartments. The renovations had begun in the fall of 2019.
“Asbestos is a known carcinogen, and it is imperative that asbestos in building materials be identified prior to renovations so that required work practices to protect tenants and construction workers can be implemented,” MassDEP Western Regional Office Director Michael Gorski said in a statement. “Although Mount Holyoke (Management) has worked with MassDEP to correct the violations and assess and, where necessary, clean the 37 housing units where renovation activities occurred, MassDEP has issued this penalty for failure to comply with required notification and work practices.”
At the time tenants complained in late 2019/early 2020, there were dumpsters on the property heaped with construction materials. Management had placed red tape around them, put signs up asking residents and children to stay away, and covered the contents. At the time, a Greenfield Recorder reporter reached out to management numerous times seeking an interview, but the calls were not returned.
On Feb. 24 and Feb. 26, 2020, the MassDEP performed inspections at the apartment complex, which revealed Mount Holyoke Management had arranged for renovation work that did not meet the requirements of the environmental agency’s asbestos regulations.
According to MassDEP, the activities disturbed building materials containing regulated amounts of asbestos, including floor tile, mastic and joint compound in multiple apartments and laundry rooms, as well as roofing materials. Asbestos-containing waste generated during the renovations was disposed of at off-site solid waste facilities that are not permitted to accept asbestos.
MassDEP ordered Mount Holyoke Management to cease renovations, retain an asbestos inspector to assess all apartments where renovations had been happening, and engage an asbestos contractor to remediate the areas where an asbestos hazard was identified, the release states.
Mount Holyoke Management complied with the order, according to the release, and has since implemented procedures for addressing asbestos-containing building materials before future renovations. Mount Holyoke Management will pay $10,000 of the $35,670 state fine, with the balance suspended provided that it complies with asbestos regulatory requirements during future renovations at the property.
Managers at Mount Holyoke Management did not return calls for comment on Wednesday.
Gorski said property owners or contractors with questions about asbestos-containing materials, notification requirements, proper removal, handling, packaging, storage and disposal procedures should contact the appropriate MassDEP Regional Office for assistance. MassDEP is responsible for ensuring clean air and water, safe management and recycling of solid and hazardous wastes, cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills, and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources.