For 2.5 hours Thursday night, Framingham Board of Health Environmental consultant Drew Smyth testified about violations witnessed at General Chemical and provided other evidence in regards to the company's site assignment.

Speaking in front of a crowd at Wilson Elementary School, Smyth delved into violation after violation, found during an announced 2010 audit of the  facility, located next door to the school. The testimony was very detailed and technical.

While on General Chemical property, Board of Health Director Ethan Mascoop and Smyth saw evidence of improper labeling and storage of hazardous chemicals. They found a rolloff container outside, filled with sediment possibly containing PCBs from an old elevator shaft, covered by a  torn tarp. Another egregious violation was a storage tanks, in General Chemical basement, improperly stacked on several wooden pallets, that were stacked on cement blocks. These tanks were too close to the ceiling and were not properly labeled.

The list of code violations stunned many in the audience.

"You would think they would know how to label hazardous containers, but they don't" Smyth testified.

The consultant showed pictures of all of the test wells that were in place around the plume. He stated that 49 of the wells placed, contain DNAPL, "that is a big number ... for those of you not in my business." The wells were found to contain the toxic chemicals, TCE, PCE, CiS-1,2-DCE, testified Smyth..

Smyth was not pleased with the number or placement of the wells. They are "not were you would expect them to be." 

He said "there is a big data gap."  General Chemical has "not done a good job at defining the extent of DNAPL".

Smyth testified he is very concerned about Century Village Condominium Complex and the MWRA aqueduct that supplies emergency back-up water to the city of Boston. He said the aqueduct passes through the heart of the plume presenting a "potential migration pathway" of toxins. Century Village, located on Weld Street, is in very close proximity to an area of high toxic concentration. Although Smyth testified he did not know to what extent because of the lack of test wells.

Smyth testified the elementary school is not in danger of any toxic vapors entering through the foundation. When the school was built, it had a vapor barrier placed under the school, he testified.

Several Town Meeting members were in the audience at Thursday night's hearing as well as Selectmen Ginger Esty, several School Committee members, Superintendent of Schools Steven Heirsche, Woodrow Wilson Principal Robin Welch, School Director of Buildings and Grounds Matthew Torti and State Rep. Chris Walsh. 

The hearing was continued to Thursday, Dec. 15 at Wilson Elementary at 7. A fourth hearing date of Jan. 19, at Wilson Elementary also was set. At those hearings General Chemical representatives and the public will be allowed to speak.