Clarification: MJD Real Estate Fined by DEP

Print Story | Email Story

Editor's Note: The original headline on this article inadvertently referred to an existing trucking company. Adams Trucking Co. has no relation to MJD Real Estate, owned by Norman Dellaghelfa Jr., and has not violated any MassDEP regulations. iBerkshires regrets the error.

ADAMS, Mass. — A trucking company is being assessed a $1,000 penalty for failing to cleanup contamination on its property.

The state Department of Environmental Protection is fining Norman Dellaghelfa Jr. for environmental violation at his MJD Real Estate warehouse facility, located at 115 Howland Ave. MJD was cited for failure to meet regulatory deadlines for assessment and cleanup of a release of metals and semi-volatile organic compounds to soil at this location.

In December 2010, MassDEP received a preliminary environmental assessment report, which indicated that concentrations of metals and semi-volatile organic compounds in the soil exceeded applicable standards at the Howland Avenue address, formerly the Curtis Paper Mill site. In April 2011, MassDEP notified MJD of its responsibilities for cleanup of the site and established deadlines for submittals. However, MJD took no actions to implement a cleanup.

In order to resolve the violations, MJD entered into an agreement with MassDEP that establishes new cleanup deadlines. If MJD demonstrates that they do not have sufficient funds to perform the cleanup or pay the penalty by obtaining "Financial Inability Status," the agreement stipulates that MassDEP will suspend the penalty.



"MJD Real Estate failed to address the release of hazardous waste at this property, and repeatedly failed to respond to notices issued by MassDEP," said Michael Gorski, director of MassDEP's Western Regional Office in Springfield. "We recognize that the cleanup of environmental contamination might be beyond the financial ability of a responsible party and offer an application and approval process to suspend response action deadlines based on financial inability."

MJD purchased the property for $15,000 from the defunct paper company in 2009. It had been in hot water with the town for couple years when it repeatedly failed to meet a payment plan for back taxes negotiated with the town. It has since met its obligations.  

MassDEP is responsible for ensuring clean air and water, safe management and recycling of solid and hazardous wastes, timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources.


Tags: cleanup,   fines,   MassDEP,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Hoosac Valley High School is Moving and Shaking

There have been some major shifts within the Hoosac Valley Regional School District recently, all of which have focused on enhancing the student experience to make it a place where ALL students can find their path.
 
In 2023, Hoosac Valley High School was designated an Innovation Pathway School by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and has since restructured the Program of Studies, utilized creative scheduling, and expanded internship opportunities. Part of this transformation includes participating in a "Portrait of a Graduate" cohort alongside four other Berkshire County schools to determine a collective vision for student success, in partnership with the BARR Foundation.
 
The Innovation Pathways at HVHS are designed to give students coursework and experience in a specific high-demand industry, such as technology, engineering, healthcare, or life sciences. Currently, Biomedical Science & Healthcare and Environmental Studies have received official state IP designation. In addition to the IP designated pathways, HVHS offers programs in Engineering & Technology, Business & Entrepreneurship, Arts & Entertainment, Education, and Sports Medicine. The result is that students have an opportunity for a transformative experience – enabling them to build essential skills, gain awareness of future career opportunities, and make informed choices about post-secondary education in promising fields.
 
Principal Colleen Byrd notes, "What makes our program special is that entry into the Pathway of your choice allows a student to access Advanced Placement and dual enrollment college courses, as well as internships in the community to set them up for success after high school."
 
The Portrait of a Graduate initiative consists of a team of Hoosac educators and students who exemplify the essential skills, practices, and beliefs that define learning experiences across the district. They work to outline the competencies, values, skills, and knowledge that define our vision for student success – keeping in mind that not every student's pathway will look the same. The District's goal is to ensure that all students graduate as responsible people, prepared individuals, lifelong learners, global citizens, critical thinkers, and thoughtful communicators.
 
Another recent change district-wide in grades K-12 is the "Crew" culture. Teachers and students now have time each day to create positive connections and build authentic relationships with one another. Through Responsive Classroom at the elementary school and Crew at the middle and high schools, students and staff gather for 30 minutes each day to engage in meaningful experiences rooted in mutual and shared interests. 
The Crew block is a prioritized structure that allows staff to support all students socially, emotionally, and academically – anchoring them and promoting the Portrait of a Graduate competencies. Crew takes many forms at the high school, such as gardening, bird watching, yoga, and sports talk with visits to college games.
 
View Full Story

More Adams Stories