History of Byram Shore....
© Contributed Photo- Greenwich, CT
1840 William and Thomas Ritch open a rock quarry at Byram Shore. The Ritch brothers sold "blue point stone" which was said to be the finest stone around. The Ritch brothers are noted for the use of their stone for the footings to erect the Brooklyn Bridge, and the pedestal for the Statute of Liberty. The Italians of Chickahominy, mostly masons were some of the Ritch Brothers steady and regular customers. You may also note the name of the street Ritch Avenue when traveling from Byram to Chickahominy.
1918, East Port Chester residents (today known as Byram residents) voted to buy the beach owned by Silas D. Ritch and Willis M. Ritch of Byram, children of William and Thomas. Subsequently the Town negotiates the purchase for $50,000.00.
Dec. 29, 1953: The Mitchell Land Co. has been given authorizations to erect a $250,000 asphalt plant on Byram property located in the industrial zone, after nearly two years of bitter litigation.
The Connecticut State Supreme Court of Errors ruled in favor of the firm and against neighboring property owners who had opposed the project, according to a decision made public today.
Judge Archibald H. Tunick said today.
The new plant, which will replace an antiquated mixing plant now on the premises, will be capable of turning out 500 tons of road surfacing compound
a day. The operation will be largely automatic and will require five employees. The new plant will be slightly larger than the existing one.
It's important to read what the town doesn't tell us....
ASPHALT PLANTS CONTAMINANTS OF CONCERN: An overview of 7 toxic substances released from asphalt processing facilities and their known effects on human health Asphalt plants are sources of air pollution that may emit significant levels of both particulate matter and gaseous volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These pollutants are considered to be dangerous to human health. Some VOCs are also suspected carcinogens or cancer-causing agents . Arsenic.
Arsenic occurs naturally in soil and minerals and it therefore may enter the air, water, and land from wind-blown dust and may get into water from runoff and leaching. Arsenic released from power plants and other combustion processes is usually attached to very small dust particles. These dust particles settle to the ground or are washed out of the air by rain. Arsenic attached to dust may stay in the air for many days and travel long distances. Ultimately, most arsenic ends up in the soil or sediment.
Children may also be exposed to arsenic by eating dirt, skin contact with soil or water that contains arsenic, or through inhalation. If you breathe air that contains arsenic dust, particles of arsenic-contaminated dust may settle onto the lining of the lungs. Inorganic arsenic is usually found in the environment combined with other elements such as oxygen, chlorine, and sulfur. Arsenic combined with carbon and hydrogen is referred to as organic arsenic. Long-term oral exposure to inorganic arsenic can results in a pattern of skin changes called "corns" or "warts" on the palms, soles, and torso that may develop into skin cancer.
Swallowing arsenic has also been reported to increase the risk of cancer in the liver, bladder, kidneys, prostate, and lungs. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that inorganic arsenic is known to cause cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that inorganic arsenic is carcinogenic to humans. The EPA also has classified inorganic arsenic as a known human carcinogen. Breathing high levels of inorganic arsenic will result in a sore throat, irritated lungs and the potential to develop lung cancer.
This has been seen mostly in workers exposed to arsenic at smelters, mines, and chemical factories, but also in residents living near smelters and chemical factories. People who live near waste sites with arsenic may have an increased risk of lung cancer as well. High doses of an organic arsenic compound may result in nerve injury, stomach irritation or other effects. All health effects observed in adults are of potential concern in children. Children may be more susceptible to health effects from inorganic arsenic than adults, and there is evidence that suggests that long-term exposure to arsenic in children may result in lower IQ scores (Public Health Statement for Arsenic, Draft for Public Comment, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, September 2005, CAS#: 7440-38-2).
For more info please visit http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/substances/toxsubstance.asp?toxid=3
Years later, 1975, the Town acquires another 9.5 acres of Byram shorefront Rosenwald Property which included a 20 room mansion adjacent to Byram park overtop the ballfield for $700,000.00 boasting beautiful breath taking views over looking Long Island Sound and begin to construct what is now know as Byram Beach for the community.
Through years of neglect, only performing minimal repairs to the beach, ball fields and giving no attention to the water in Byram Harbor that carries out to Long Island Sound, Byram Beach becomes one of the most heavily polluted beaches in the state of Connecticut. Most notable, over the years due to heavy rains the beach was closed to the public for bathing a multitude of times and to date is yet to be addressed. 40+ years and still no change. INSERT EPA LINK IMPARED WATERS)
The US Army Corps insert (link for usac file) were called into test these troubled waters, they measured the contaminates, the findings.....significantly over the legal limit yet, never pushed the envelope for the town to do right by the community, never recommended dredging be done to remove these harmful contaminates. This pollution wrecked havoc on those that made a living shell fishing and had to buy their sold catches back from the fish mongers to retain their clientele.
insert documentation of shell fishers selling back their stocks)
In 2002 sickly residents came forward and made the Town of Greenwich aware of their health concerns, a blind eye was turned. The issue never pushed. Lot's of pollution in town and people that come forward are looked at as if it's unfounded in Greenwich, would it be more believable if this occured in Bridgeport? See the link below!
BACKGROUND AND STATEMENT OF ISSUE
The Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH) was asked by the Agency Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to assess the public health implications of direct exposure to sediment from the Byram River, in Greenwich Connecticut. This request was made in response to a petition submitted to ATSDR by a Greenwich resident on March 6th, 2002.
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/HAC/pha/pha.asp?docid=1395&pg=1
Where did the pollution come from? Why is this happening?
Tom's Brook which is located inside the Town's dump became compromised from years of neglect, no gate keepers to take responsibility for this area, and for years attempted to tip toe quietly and yet failed to address the underlining issues that still persist.
After the clean water Act of 1971, the town still continued to allow quench water from the incinerator ( in use 1938) to enter the water until is was shut down in 1977. Additionally, the town was accepting 6,000 gallons tanker trucks containing liquid waste chemicals from the Electrolux plant in Old Greenwich and having the men and supervisors employed by the Town dig shallow pits for the tanker trucks to drain these hazardous toxins into. Mixed with quench water you have the man made makings for some deadly brew.
Gravity would pull these chemicals due to their density and weight to the bottom of the pits, during rain events they continue to rise with the water table and continue to pollute the land and water. These toxins than carry down the corridor through Armstrong Court, Bimbo Bakeries (formerly known as Arnolds Bakeries), past Metro North, Though Ritch Avenue, than drops out into Byram Harbor, which than carries out to Long Island Sound. As the high and low tide go in and out so does the contaminates. Making dredging a necessity to rid what lies within the sedimentation.
Who's responsibility is this? It's the Town's responsibility to keep these waters clean. For years they refuse to do so. As of 2004, the Town annually receives $250,000.00 to test the water, it's now 2015 and they have yet to produce a signal test of this water in town. Why? That is the question the community awaits a long overdue answer to. When asked to produce results they couldn't, they never performed testing as required by the EPA.
2005 Health Department reporting on Beaches closed.
pgs 100-101
http://www.greenwichct.org/upload/medialibrary/dac/betAnnualReport2005-06.pdf
November 2014, another municipal improvement proposal is made by the Parks and Recreational Department to erect a new pool for the community. The need for replacement is that it is leaking and in need of constant repair. It was part of the Rosenwald property and has been in the possession of the Town for 40 years and how ever long the Rosenwalds owned it.
Upon the "required testing" for all MI projects within the town Arsenic, is now discovered and down played by the town's officials according to their commentary to the local press.
Board of Health Minutes February 23, 2015
SOIL CONTAMINATION ISSUES – BYRAM PARK PLAYGROUND DPW conducted site assessments on the property as part of a proposal for a new community pool on the area known as the Rosenwald property. The property was formerly a quarry that was filled in during the 1920s when a residence was built as well as the existing pool. The proposed pool is planned to be against the rock escarpment about 200 feet from the existing pool. As part of the environmental assessment soil samples were taken throughout the area and analyzed. Sample results indicated elevated arsenic levels in the surface soils and the concentrations decreased with depth – no other contaminants were found.
The Rosenwald property, including the existing pool, is now closed off to access until the remediation is complete. Arsenic was not found in the beach sand. Though arsenic can be naturally occurring, the elevated arsenic levels are in the upper soil layers at the site and it is assumed that the fill used in the 1920s was contaminated with it. The soil remediation plan was discussed with DEEP, DPH and the Environmental division of the Department of Health.
The remediation will consist of removing the top 15” of soil and disposing of it in an approved site in CT. Clean soil will be brought in to replace the soil that was removed. DPW is currently pursuing funding to build the new pool and for the remediation of the site from the BET.
http://www.greenwichct.org/upload/medialibrary/83b/boh-minutes-02-23-2015-draft.pdf
Page 2
According to The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
What happens to arsenic when it enters the environment?
Arsenic occurs naturally in soil and minerals and it therefore may enter the air, water, and land from wind-blown dust and may get into water from runoff and leaching. Volcanic eruptions are another source of arsenic. Arsenic is associated with ores containing metals, such as copper and lead. Arsenic may enter the environment during the mining and smelting of these ores. Small amounts of arsenic also may be released into the atmosphere from coal-fired power plants and incinerators because coal and waste products often contain some arsenic.
Arsenic cannot be destroyed in the environment. It can only change its form, or become attached to or separated from particles. It may change its form by reacting with oxygen or other molecules present in air, water, or soil, or by the action of bacteria that live in soil or sediment. Arsenic released from power plants and other combustion processes is usually attached to very small particles. Arsenic contained in wind-borne soil is generally found in larger particles. These particles settle to the ground or are washed out of the air by rain. Arsenic that is attached to very small particles may stay in the air for many days and travel long distances. Many common arsenic compounds can dissolve in water.
Thus, arsenic can get into lakes, rivers, or underground water by dissolving in rain or snow or through the discharge of industrial wastes. Some of the arsenic will stick to particles in the water or sediment on the bottom of lakes or rivers, and some will be carried along by the water. Ultimately, most arsenic ends up in the soil or sediment. Although some fish and shellfish take in arsenic, which may build up in tissues, most of this arsenic is in an organic form called arsenobetaine (commonly called "fish arsenic") that is much less harmful.
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/PHS/PHS.asp?id=18&tid=3
EPA: http://www.epa.gov/ttnchie1/le/arsenic.pdf
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http://www.greenwichct.org/upload/medialibrary/ff5/First_Selectmans_Budget%20Message_FY_12-13.pdf
Byram Pool Master Plan In FY 07-08, the RTM approved the Town’s acceptance of gifts to undertake the initial design of a replacement pool at Byram Park. At that time, the design was oriented around a 75’ x 75’ version (5,700 ft2) or a 90’ x 75’ recreational pool (6,750 square feet). A recreational pool includes swimming and recreational water activities, not diving or very deep areas within the pool. The associated estimate was only for the pool replacement and a new pool support building; it did not include any other buildings at the park. These designs were conceptual in nature and did not proceed to look at pool users vs. other site constraints at that time (e.g. parking etc.).
The estimate for the approximate 6,750 square foot pool was $6.5 million at that time. This figure was then placed into DPW’s multi-year capital plan. In FY 08-09 a Pool Committee was formed, with members from across the community. This group reviewed pools in other municipalities to compare to the Byram facilities. This led to the concept of developing a Byram Park Master Plan, with a larger pool and a larger overall project scope. The master plan scope included looking at the beach, the pool, park buildings, and the park as a whole. Work that went on during this time included pro bono work through John Conte, local landscape architect and IWWA Board member and DPW staff. The existing pool and the adjacent support building have several issues which make them candidates for replacement. The existing pool which is residential in design has been in use since the property was gifted to the Town in 1973.
GIFTED? The town purchased this property in 1975 for $700,000.00 One Hundred Thousand less than the owner was seeking.
There are a number of operating issues that cannot be repaired without replacement. The supporting Pool House has an index score of 27, which is the lowest possible condition score. This leak has increased water usage at the pool over the 2009-2010 period by 40%. The existing pool will continue to leak, increasing water consumption and chemical costs. The existing support facility is in poor condition and requires substantial funds for repairs. Because the building is related to the pool, making the repairs to the building without repairing the pool is not feasible. In FY 11-12 DPW requested $100,000 to begin work on the Byram Park Master Plan and did receive these funds in the capital budget. $45,000 in the Parks & Recreation Foundation account is being used to offset a portion of the capital request. This project is providing the funds for a preliminary design of a comprehensive plan to alter the recreational facility locations in the eastern portion of Byram Park that would include the replacement of the existing pool.
The plan calls for a new pool; new pool support building; a new beach entry structure that will include beach restrooms, ticketing, and concession stand; and a new parking pattern to support ADA requirements. In exchange, the existing pool, pool house, concession, ticket booth, locker building and beach restroom would be removed. The idea is to use the completed plan to provide a base for the construction estimate for future funding requests. Construction of a new public pool will be very involved and must consider coastal management, topography & geological conditions, zoning (e.g. parking, lighting, etc.), architectural considerations, maintenance, and the ability of Town infrastructure to handle the project (e.g. sewers, drainage, etc.). The plan must also consider how the park is a multi-use site, which must provide facilities for the park, pool, beach users as well as the boaters. DPW and Parks and Recreation (P&R) has met several times, starting Summer 2011, with members of the Junior League and some other members from the Pool Committee to review An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer, M/FH 25 design concepts.
There is a difference of opinion between what the Pool Committee would like to construct versus what is dictated by site constraints such as parking and sewer infrastructure capacity. Multiple iterations of park design have been looked at, and DPW has obtained cost estimates for two of these, although not convinced of either design’s feasibility for a number of reasons. Both designs included pools much larger than anticipated back in 2007-2008, and incorporate competitive diving and swimming capacity (none of which was included in past estimates). Those estimates ranged from roughly $12.5 to $15.5 million.
As of January 2012, $31,200 of the $100,000 budget has been expended. This request of $150,000 along with the FY 11-12 remaining balance will be used to complete the design for submittal to Planning & Zoning for preliminary site plan approval. To achieve preliminary site plan approval the Town will have to effective address the following concerns: drainage, sewer, site engineering, building design, site plan and parking. I support this initiative, but it must be absolutely clear that the schedule of existing projects and our maintenance obligations will take precedence over the construction of this project in the coming years. Based on our financial models, I do not anticipate construction commencing for at least five years.
Same old song playing all over town? Why not make sure the water in Byram Harbor leading to Long Island Sound are clean first?
http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/More-toxins-found-in-Greenwich-soil-5981761.php
http://www.greenwich-post.com/32326/soil-contamination-found-at-byram-park/
© 1975 Photo by: Christopher Semmes- Greenwich, CT
