On Brookline

Try as I might, I can’t get a sense that the Town of Brookline and The Boston Archdiocese have a plan to remove asbestos as part of their plan to demolish the rectory at the former St. Aidan’s Church [see previous post].

The last I knew, the tiles on the roof alone contain quite a bit of the deadly substance. I’ve asked the Archdiocese and the town whether a disposal plan has been filed with the EPA, as required. The town says they don’t care if it has or not and the Archdiocese doesn’t respond.

But here’s the real kick. The developer for the Archdiocese is saying that it will use the “wet method” (i.e., hosing the building down while demolishing) for removing any asbestos on the site. But in 2004, the EPA halted the use of that method because it actually makes asbestos more airborne [see article].

If you trust this developer and this town government to protect the health of residents downwind from the demolition site, lay down your crack pipe. There’s no reason to expect that those who have imposed this ill-conceived and financially inviable project on the rest of us have the public interest at heart.

As Selectman Nancy Daly said of those who sued the Archdiocese to ensure, in part, a measure of public safety during construction, “they shouldn’t be rewarded for their outrageous behavior.”

Update: Here’s a copy of an internal EPA memo leaked to the media on the so-called “wet method.” The Bush Administration is trying to come up with an improved method, but scientists are not convinced of its efficacy.

Update (2): Oh, and the construction start date that was changed from end of August to the middle of September to the end of October until right about now? Word is that the date has been changed once again. This time it’s December 15th (not sure if that’s in 2007).

How’s that $6 million in affordable housing funds the Brookline Selectmen gave the Archdiocese working out? Well, for a project that is “fully financed” (according to the town) it sure is taking a long time to get the cranes up. So I’d say it’s not working out too well.

And remember, the dimwits on the Brookline Board of Selectmen had a chance to cut their losses back in May [see previous post] and call the note. Instead, they threw another $2 million at the project. Classic, just classic.