I ^ | Brownfields 2005 Cleanup Grant Fact Sheet \ ' Monson, MA EPA Brownfields Program EPA's Brownfields Program empowers states, communities, and other stakeholders to work together to prevent, assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse brownfields. A brownfield 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 the Brownfields 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 Monson was selected to receive a brownfields cleanup grant. Monson (population 8,359) is a small town in southwestern Massachusetts just north of the Connecticut state line. Over the years, Monson has evolved from an agricultural community to a mill/industrial community, and then, to a residential suburb. The decline of industry in the town has left behind a blighted area of vacant buildings, increased unemployment, and a shift to a lower-paying, service-oriented labor force. The lack of public transportation exacerbates these problems, as residents are forced to seek employment elsewhere and commute. The increasing number of families living in poverty and seniors eligible for social programs and services, along with the rapid growth in the number and cost of residential properties, has put a tremendous burden on the town's finances and taxpayers. Cleanup and redevelopment of the former South Main Street School will turn a centrally-located property into affordable housing within close proximity to community services, shopping, and recreational facilities. Redevelopment of this property is expected to anchor revitalization of the entire downtown area, bring beneficial tax revenue to the town, and send a positive message to the development community, thereby further encouraging private investment. Cleanup Grant $200,000 for hazardous substances EPA has selected the Town of Monson for a brownfields cleanup grant. Grant funds will be used to conduct community outreach activities, plan remediation, and implement soil and groundwater cleanup at the former South Main Street School property. The property served as home to the Dan Wesson Arms Facility from 1978 to the early 1990s. Contamination at the site is attributed to the gun plating operations that took place at the arms facility. 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 (http://www.epa.gov/brownfields). EPA Region 1 Brownfields Team (617) 918-1424 EPA Region 1 Brownfields Web site (http://www.epa.gov/regionl/bro wnfields ) Grant Recipient: Town of Monson, MA Town of Monson (413)267-4100 Town of Monson (413)267-4100 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 negotiated. Therefore, activities described in this fact sheet are subject to change. United States c Environmental anri Fmpflpn™ EPA 560-F-05-015 Protection Agency Response (5105T) May 2005 Washington, DC 20450 Kesponse (si us ) ------- |