DEP Fines Former Pittsfield Gas Station Owner $4,500

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has fined the property owner of a former gasoline station and auto repair facility for his failure to clean up known contamination on his property.

Anthony J. Crea, who owns the property at 483 West Housatonic St., was fined $4,500. According to MassDEP, Crea failed to undertake cleanup actions in response to multiple notices at the site, where a number of businesses currently operate.

Following several notices sent to Crea dating back to 2002, MassDEP entered into a consent order with Crea in November 2008. The agreement required the completion of response actions by April 15, 2009. After not receiving the required documentation from Crea, MassDEP issued the fine.

"The failure of Mr. Crea to comply with the regulations is ongoing and willful," said Michael Gorski, director of MassDEP’s Western Regional Office in Springfield. "We have, on numerous occasions, extended latitude to Mr. Crea in an effort to support his cleanup of this property. Unfortunately, we have exhausted our options and enforcement is now needed to regain