On Brookline

I was interviewed by a reporter today on the St. Aidan’s project, who asked: What is the plan for lead and asbestos removal at the project?

Beats me.  There are all kinds of rumors swirling around (spawned by the developer announcing the start of construction which has as its first major project the demolition of the church rectory).  But there’s no notice of asbestos removal filed with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.  (Oh and, when you see brown paint on the building, think lead.)

And who knows what the Town of Brookline plans to do to protect residents from these nasty materials.  I’m guessing nothing, which is what they do best.

Who’s going to take charge?  The health department?  You’ve got to be kidding.  I’ve seen more than a few environmental issues unfold in Brookline, and let’s just say they don’t inspire confidence.

Have permits for removal been filed? Will there be measures imposed by the town to protect people in this densely populated area?  Not from what I can tell.

See, the reason I’m tracking the DEP filings is because the contractor will have to disclose how much asbestos is involved.  I think there’s a lot more on that rectory building then the Archdiocese and town are letting on.  And, I suspect, they’re looking to dispose of it on the cheap.

I wonder if Cardinal Sean O’Malley knows what his development company (he’s the president) is doing at St. Aidan’s.  I wonder if he knows about the gag orders and the bullying by lawyers.  I wonder if he knows that a for-profit entity will be renting out the low income units.  And I wonder if he knows that his development team won’t tell the project’s neighbors how they plan to ensure environmental safety during the rectory’s demolition.

He can’t possibly know.  I mean, he’s too decent a man to let this go on.

Why, I think someone should let him know  And soon.