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CITY OF TAUNTON, MASSACHUSETTS BROWNFIELDS PROGRAM |
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FACT SHEET
The City of Taunton, through its Office of Economic and Community Development, has been awarded $1.2 million in Brownfields Grants from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA has selected the City of Taunton for an Assessment Grant in the amount of $200,000. This hazardous substance grant will be used to inventory and prioritize sites and to perform both Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments. The second grant, in the amount of $1,000,000 will be used to capitalize a revolving loan fund from which the City of Taunton will provide low interest loans and sub-grants to support cleanup activities for sites contaminated with hazardous substances.
What is a Brownfield?
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines Brownfields as “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.
Why is the Brownfields Program Important to the City of Taunton?
The reclamation and sustainable reuse of Taunton’s Brownfields sites is seen as a vital link in the City’s effort to strengthen its economic base, provide needed affordable housing, create small business opportunities and improve the overall quality of life for our residents.
What areas of the City have been identified?
Although the City of Taunton’s Brownfields Program is city-wide, three sections of the city will be prioritized as target areas: Weir Village, the Whittenton neighborhood and downtown.
What is the purpose of the assessment grants?
In order for a community to actively remedy a Brownfield site, it must first learn as much as possible about a site. The first stage of an environmental cleanup project is called a Phase I Assessment. A Phase I Assessment will result in a full history of the site, as well as identify potential responsible parties for the cleanup of the site. The next step in the process is called a Phase II Assessment, which will identify contaminants at the site, as well as the extent of the contaminants. Once the contaminants are identified, the scope and cost of the cleanup, and a strategy for sustainable reuse or development of the site is pursued
How does the City determine which properties get assessed?
Sites are selected based on the redevelopment vision plan to determine which Brownfield site(s) have the greatest re-use potential to create jobs, create affordable housing opportunities, to provide services to the community and to increase overall economic development and tax base for the City of Taunton. The land re-use plan involves attracting private investors through public/private partnerships.
About the City’s Revolving Loan Fund
The City of Taunton has approximately $1.6 million in its Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund available to remediate contaminated sites. The RLF provides no-interest loans to carry out cleanup activities at Brownfield sites in the three targeted areas as well as the entire City. The amounts of the loans are based on the extent of the cleanup and the benefits (jobs and housing) created through the redevelopment and reuse of the site.
Who can Apply?
Assessment Grants and RLF loans are available to both non-profit and for-profit developers/businesses.
Who will oversee the Assessment and Remediation Process?
The City of Taunton will ensure that the work performed on each site will be by a licensed environmental professional (LSP). The LSP performs assessments and remediation activities under the regulations of the Massachusetts Contingency Plan which is enforced by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. The LSP guides the City to ensure it follows all state and federal guidelines for protecting the health of the residents of the affected target areas.
Who do I contact for further information?
City of Taunton Office of Economic and Community Development
45 School Street
Taunton, Massachusetts
(508) 821-1030
Kevin J. Shea Executive Director
Michael J. Mattos Community Development Director
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