Greece, N.Y. (WHAM) — A section of Island Cottage Road in Greece is planned for a large senior living complex development.
It’s been met with pushback from the community with concerns over contamination from the nearby World War II-era Odenbach manufacturing site.
Recently, crews have been observed clearing the land, but it’s not for construction — at least, not yet.
“Basically, there is good news,” said Brendan Bulson, who lives nearby. “They are doing testing (for harmful agents) over on that land.”
Bulson and his wife, Casey, have been determined advocates for the environment in the area. The pair is concerned harmful chemicals from the Odenbach area — confirmed by a New York State Department of Environmental report in June — could be present in toxic levels at the complex site.
“The stuff we already know that’s confirmed there is going to be the arsenic, the DDT and the mercury,” Brendan said.
BACKGROUND: Greece residents alarmed over DEC contamination report | Neighbors push back against Greece senior living project amid environmental concerns | Contamination concerns seep into Greece development debate
Another big one is trichloroethylene, or TCE, a cancer-causing substance. that he said clings to cements and basements and vaporizes.
“(It’s) damaging to children. It’s damaging to seniors,” Brendan said. “When it gets into your properties, it comes up underneath the concrete of the basement foundations. It’s a vapor. People breathe it in. It breaks down into other hazardous chemicals, like vinyl chloride, DCE, dichloroethylene, and that’s actually more harmful than the TCE, once it breaks down into that, so it breaks down into a bunch of nasty stuff.”
Casey said testing now during dry spell is a problem.
“(For best test results, we’d want to) have a good high water season in there,” she said. “It would be a way better picture of what the risks are.”
The Bulsons said an outside company, Day Environmental, is doing the testing for the Vasile construction corporation.
Kirk Morris, the town’s deputy supervisor, said in a statement the town is “pleased to share that testing is being performed and will share the results of the report with the community when it’s completed.”
Regarding the property at 354 Island Cottage Road, after discussions with the Town and in response to concerns brought by residents, the developer has agreed to conduct testing at their own expense to determine if Trichloroethylene (TCE), the primary contaminant of concern related to the former Odenbach site, is present. They are only clearing areas necessary to perform the testing, are not clearing the entire site and are not clearing in any mapped wetlands. This process is being done in accordance with NYSDEC guidelines for such testing.
The Bulsons, though, have a hint of suspicion. Brendan held up a mowed-over “wetlands” sign marker. He fears that indicates clearing there.
The DEC was made aware, Morris wrote in an email.
“The developer called us yesterday to say that the contractor making a narrow path to what will be a testing location clipped a portion of a wetland area,” Morris wrote. “They entered what is an old existing path that was outside the wetland area and (I’m assuming) thought it was a straight shot for them because an early delineation marker showed they were outside it, but the wetland area jogged for a short run before cutting back on the far side. The DEC was called to inform them.”
In a statement, DEC spokesperson Andrea Pedrick-Bird said the clearing doesn’t require DEC approval.
The mowing and brush hogging taking place on Island Cottage in the town of Greece does not require approval by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Regarding the former Air Force Plant 51/former Odenbach Shipbuilding plant site investigation, DEC maintains multiple sampling wells at this site and along the Lake Ontario State Parkway, and cleanup activities are ongoing. The town of Greece is a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) Community, which means they are responsible for management of construction and post-construction stormwater runoff. Contaminated groundwater at the site is not used for drinking water or other purposes that would create a risk of public exposure. The site is served by a public water supply with a water source that is not impacted by this contamination. On Dec. 2, 2024, the applicant sent DEC a 401 Water Quality Certification application, which DEC also reviewed for potential consideration of Article 24 Freshwater Wetland Permitting purposes. DEC deemed the application incomplete on Dec. 17, 2024. The applicant partially re-submitted on Jan. 2, 2025, and DEC issued a second Notice of Incomplete Application on Jan. 21, 2025.
Casey feels the scope of the clearing seems almost too big.
“I did notice they have more land clearing equipment over there than just for brush clearing,” she said. “I think that’s a little presumptive at this point.”
But generally, the Bulsons’ mood is hopeful.
“Well, our neighborhood is giving a leap of faith that this is going to go correctly,” Brendan said. “And we hope it does.”