Fuel Oil Spill - Springfield Residence/Montgomery Rehab Hospital - 8601 Stenton Avenue
On March 3, 2008, at approximately 4:50 PM, the Code Enforcement Department was alerted to a possible pollutant in the Schlatter's Run near Birch Lane. Ms. Kaller, 8702 Montgomery Avenue, called the problem to the attention of the Township. The Code Enforcement and Police Departments responded.
Upon initial investigation by Messrs. Dunlop and Baily, they found a significant amount of fuel oil/diesel fuel in the creek. Upon receipt of the information, I asked that the Wyndmoor Hose Company and Township Public Works Department be dispatched. Mr. Taylor and I reported to the scene. Flourtown Fire Company, Springfield Ambulance, Springfield Police, and the Montgomery County Haz-Mat Team all responded.
The fire companies placed absorbent pads and booms within the creek. At initial assessment, the fuel oil had not gotten any further down stream than 8702 Montgomery Avenue. There was no obvious loss of aquatic life, no birds hurt.
Chief DePaul and I discussed the need to secure a professional environmental clean-up service. With my approval, Chief DePaul called J & J Spill Co. I called PA DEP and spoke to Rex Miller. Given the containment and lack of sunlight, we agreed PA DEP would respond on March 4, 2008.
Messrs. Dunlop and Baily, along with Police Officer Hart, worked with Montgomery Rehab Hospital maintenance personnel. The fuel pump to the boilers was turned off. The concrete trough that carries condensation from the boilers to a drain contained fuel oil. From review of the fuel oil supply pipes that are also located within the concrete trough, the one pipe had deteriorated to the point of failure.
The police dispatcher was asked to telephone as many of the Montgomery Avenue residents (even side) as could be reached. I visited the Keystone Hospice.
Wyndmoor Hose Company was to maintain a small crew on hand to greet J & J Spill Company.
Robin Antonio, Director of Facilities, responded to the scene and called for a repair service for the deteriorated pipe. He was comfortable there would be enough heat in the building until repairs could be made. The Chief Operating Officer of the Montgomery Rehab Hospital was on route but not expected for a while at 7:00 PM. Joanne Stevens, VP, clinical services, indicated she was the administrator in charge until Diane Huntoon, the COO, was present.
On March 4, 2008, Bill Kunsch, J & J Spill Company, called to indicate they were back on site to continue their work. He believed the effort of the Fire Company indeed kept the limits of the spill to the area cordoned off by their absorbent materials.
The two Wyndmoor Commissioners were telephoned on March 3, 2008. The others will be provided a copy of this memo on March 4, 2008. Letters to adjacent neighbors will be delivered on March 4, 2008. Mr. Carabba was asked to inspect the Paper Mill Run in Cisco Park for any signs of oil and found nothing to report.
I will work with the hospital to have the clean-up responsibility transferred to their name.