55 o T> 13 Brownfields 2008 Grant Fact Sheet Wrentham, MA EPA Brownfields Program EPA's Brownfields Program empowers states, commu- nities, and other stakeholders to work together to prevent, assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse brownfields. Abrownfield site is real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. On January 11, 2002, President George W. Bush signed into law the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act. Under this law, EPA provides financial assistance to eligible applicants through four competitive grant programs: assessment grants, revolving loan fund grants, cleanup grants, and job training grants. Additionally, funding support is provided to state and tribal response programs through a separate mechanism. Community Description The Town of Wrentham was selected to receive a brownfields cleanup grant. Located midway between Boston and Providence, Wrentham (population 10,554) is a rural community. According to the Massa- chusetts Department of Environmental Protection, over 60 sites in the town have some environmental concerns. Through participation in Norfolk County's Brownfield Assessment Program, the town has been able to investigate its contaminated and underutilized properties. Wrentham has recently experienced a 17.2 percent increase in population and needs developable land. It has been looking at undeveloped parcels to accommodate mixed housing and provide affordable options for senior citizens and young adults. When the target site is cleaned up, the town plans to reuse it for mixed housing development and greenspace. Cleanup Grant $200,000 for hazardous substances EPA has selected the Town of Wrentham for a brownfields cleanup grant. Hazardous substances grant funds will be used to clean up the Marra property at 775 South Street. The property was operated as a sand and gravel pit from 1949 until the 1970s, when it was used as a junk yard. Soil is contaminated with dieldrin and oilier hazardous substances. Grant funds also will be used to conduct community outreach activities. Contacts For further information, including specific grant contacts, additional grant information, brownfields news and events, and publications and links, visit the EPA Brownfields web site at: www.epa.gov/ brownfields. EPA Region 1 Brownfields Team 617-918-1424 http://www.epa.gov/regionl/brownfields Grant Recipient: Town of Wrentham, MA 781-461-6159 The information presented in this fact sheet comes from the grant proposal; EPA cannot attest to the accuracy of this information. The cooperative agreement for the grant has not yet been negoti- ated. Therefore, activities described in this fact sheet are subject to change. Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5105T) EPA 560-F-08-209 July 2008 www.epa.gov/brownfields ------- |