NORTHAMPTON - The state's Department of Environmental Protection levied a $6,000 fine against local property owner Paul L. Holt Wednesday for violating state asbestos regulations when removing siding from a two-family rental on Day Avenue.
According to a release issued by the department, in July 2007, MassDEP conducted a site investigation at 23 and 25 Day Ave., and discovered that in order to remove asbestos transite-shingle siding, Holt was loading the shingles into trash bags and transporting them to another property, where the bags were thrown into a Dumpster.
Under the terms of a consent order issued by the department, Holt is now required by law to comply with asbestos regulations in the future and has agreed to pay a penalty of $6,000.
"Improper removal and handling of asbestos-containing materials places tenants as well as the general public at risk," said Michael Gorski, director of MassDEP's Western Regional Office in Springfield.
More information on asbestos, including health effects and proper disposal methods, can be found on MassDEP's web site: http://www.mass.gov/dep/air/asbguid.htm.
- OWEN BOSS
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