TRR photo by Tom Kane Turner project manager Steve Lundgren, with two other Turner engineers, tour the construction site of the new Sullivan West high school. (Click for larger image)

No problems at the site, say Turner officials

By TOM KANE

LAKE HUNTINGTON —Officials of the Turner Company categorically deny that there are any notable environmental problems at the new 70-acre Sullivan West school site at Lake Huntington.

Turner Company is overseeing construction of the new high school, and advising the school board on the process.

“There are no major, or even minor, environmental problems at the site,” said Scott Bridie, Turner senior project manager who is at the site daily. “We have gone through every conceivable testing process with the DEC (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation) and with other expert environmental consultants—professionals who test sites like this all the time.”

Two weeks ago, Tony Wayne of Freemont, a parent and vocal opponent of the new school construction, released a videotape showing pictures of garbage at the site and claiming there were toxic wastes buried under the ground.

The videotape alleges that toxic waste, shown oozing from ground surfaces, was buried in 1966 when the old Green Acres Hotel was burned to the ground. Wayne based his allegations on the word of several workers who were employed at the hotel site at the time.

“We have no evidence that there is anything toxic buried at the site,” Bridie said. “And we’ve been over it with experts who know what to look for. As for the garbage, we will have it removed.”

Tests which have been conducted at the site include a detailed Draft Environmental Impact Study (DEIS), conducted by the DEC, hazardous waste inspections, soil erosion control plans and several other tests and procedures, Bridie said.

 “If Tony had come and inspected the DEIS and other test data, he would see all the evidence against his allegations,” said Steve Lundgren, another Turner project manager at the site.

Wayne refused to speak to the press, claiming that he has been misquoted in the past.

Lundgren saw Wayne inspecting the site a few weeks ago and stopped to question him.

“Tony claimed that Superintendent Johndrow gave him permission to go on the site at any time,” Lundgren said. Johndrow denies giving Wayne any such permission.

Wayne’s videotape also claims that the site is surrounded by wetlands, which could be affected by anything unearthed by the construction. In letters to the editor in this TRR issue and last, Wayne claims the wetlands provide an unsafe infestation of mosquitos and that fecal matter from beavers and muskrats could contaminate the school’s water source.

“There are very small areas of wetlands on the periphery of the site,” Lundgren said. “We’ve had wetland experts inspect the site, using the Army Corps of Engineers’ objective standards and guidelines for how to make wetland determinations.”

Bridie denied that there was an infestation of mosquitoes or potential for such infestation.

Persons interested in viewing the DEIS or other testing results can contact the Sullivan West superintendent’s office at 845/482-4610, ext. 258, where the material is held. Copies can be obtained by submitting a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) application, also available at the district office.