[Photo courtesy of Union-Sackett Block Association Blog]
The other day, Carroll Gardens blogger Pardon Me For Asking, posted some photos of the mess outside 340 Court Street. Meanwhile, the new Union-Sackett Block Assocation has a post about asbestos removal at the building. (A document filed with the Department of Environmental Protection shows that the asbestos removal project started on Monday.) Resident found out about the asbestos removal not because any signs have been posted or because neighbors have been informed, but because Deanna R. Bitetti from Rep. Yvette Clarke’s district office looked into it for them. Her email says:
Yes, the air monitoring was related to the asbestos abatement. They began asbestos abatement last week and that work will continue for a couple more weeks. Demolition activity should begin after that -towards the end of the month.
Also, on another topic: There was a concern about increased rodent activity during demolition. Their contractor has agreed to put additional rodent baiting in neighboring properties’ basements if they are requested and this is available to any neighbors who might want it.
It is going to be a long and very interesting process if (a). the activism prompted by the development continues and (b). the lines of communication are so non-existent that Rep. Clarke’s staff is called upon for information about a neighborhood project. On the other hand, it gives us yet another Carroll Gardens development that should prove itself to be fodder for many, many posts.
8 responses so far ↓
1 Anonymous // Jan 9, 2008 at 8:42 am
Your article is completely false. As was reported on the Union Sackett block association website, Clarett actually had a meeting with members of the block association, elected officials, and the Carroll Gardens Neighborhood association. As someone who was at that meeting I can tell you that at that meeting, Clarett informed everyone of the construction timeline which included telling people that asbestos abatement would begin right after New Year’s and last a couple of weeks after that. That is exactly the timeline that we are seeing now. Clarett is actually making an effort to reach out to neighbors, so keep your disdain for when it’s actually necessary. How about applauding developers when they actually do the right thing instead of being on automoatic attack mode all the time regardless of the facts.
2 Anonymous // Jan 9, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Isn’t it the law that asbestos removal permits and notification need to be posted so that the public knows that it is taking place at a particular site as it gets underway.
3 Anonymous // Jan 10, 2008 at 7:58 am
No. The law is that you have to notify DEP and owners of adjacent properties. Both of those have been done in this case. Please learn the rules before you accuse people of breaking them.
4 Union-Sackett Block Association // Jan 10, 2008 at 10:46 am
From the Asbestos Ombudsman of the Department of Environmental Protection in Washington, D.C.:
There is an EPA publication entitled Guidance for Controlling Asbestos-containing Materials in Buildings which discusses at length the requirement of constructing barriers completely around buildings in which asbestos containing materials are being disturbed. The barriers usually consist of heavy-gauge plastic sheeting stretched vertically to
contain anything that is removed or released. It is also stated that a prominent sign must be posted at all entrances at a distance of at least 20 ft from the entrance.
Another document, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants; Asbestos NESHAP Revision (40 CFR Part 61 Subpart M) states the requirement for warning signs that must be posted on all trucks that are involved in hauling/removing asbestos material away from the site.
The link below is to asbestos rules and regulations published by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. Go to p. 58 where you will find Subchapter G, Part 2 (Work Procedures), article1-125 (Work
Area Preparation), paragraph (a). That paragraph deals with notices
that must be placed at each entrance to a facility in which abatement is to be done.
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/pdf/asbestos.pdf
The Union-Sackett Block Association does do our research! We want to assure the safety of our community, not just call out Clarett.
-Anne
Moderator, Union-Sackett Block Association Blog
5 Union-Sackett Block Association // Jan 10, 2008 at 10:49 am
From the Asbestos Ombudsman of the
Department of Environmental Protection in Washington, D.C.:
There is an EPA publication entitled Guidance for Controlling
Asbestos-containing Materials in Buildings which discusses at length the requirement of constructing barriers completely around buildings in which asbestos containing materials are being disturbed. The barriers usually consist of heavy-gauge plastic sheeting stretched vertically to
contain anything that is removed or released. It is also stated that a prominent sign must be posted at all entrances at a distance of at least 20 ft from the entrance.
Another document, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants; Asbestos NESHAP Revision (40 CFR Part 61 Subpart M) states the requirement for warning signs that must be posted on all trucks that are involved in hauling/removing asbestos material away from the site.
The link below is to asbestos rules and regulations published by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. Go to p. 58 where you will find Subchapter G, Part 2 (Work Procedures), article1-125 (Work
Area Preparation), paragraph (a). That paragraph deals with notices
that must be placed at each entrance to a facility in which abatement is to be done.
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/pdf/asbestos.pdf
The Union-Sackett Block Association does do our research! We want to assure the safety of our community, not just call out Clarett.
-Anne
Moderator, Union-Sackett Block Association
6 Anonymous // Jan 10, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Not everyone in the vicinity is computer savy or wise enough to google anything. There should have been signs regardless of all Clarett’s lawful intentions. I walk by that slab every day and I have seen nothing.
7 Anonymous // Jan 10, 2008 at 8:33 pm
and the building will effect more than just court between Union & Sackett…
8 Anonymous // Jan 11, 2008 at 8:03 am
Please. You walk by buildings that have abatement going on every day and don’t know about it because there are ot requirements to place the signs that you are thinking of. Only the entrance to the space that’s being abated requires a sign. Asbestos abatement is not like other construction activities that require the kind of posting you are thinking of. Clarett has done an admirable job of informing the community what’s going on.