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 compliance. It is essential that the cleanup is completed to eliminate threats to the public, prevent further damage to the environment, and allow potential opportunities for future economic development of this property."

The property previously was operated by Sun Oil Company and other entities for at least 80 years for the distribution of oil and gasoline products.

According to MassDEP, previous owners of the property initially completed a number of cleanup actions, including the removal of several gasoline underground storage tanks (USTs) from the former gasoline station and auto repair facility. However, fire department records indicate that additional USTs may still remain on the site. Initial assessment confirmed the presence of gasoline and other oil contamination in the soils and groundwater on-site. The nearest potential receptor is the Housatonic River.