Oil spill problem heats up

PEABODY-Discussions over the recent oil spill at 70 Endicott St., reached scorching temperatures as members of City Council, Community Development and Mayor Michael Bonfanti took part in quite the vigorous round of the blame game Thursday night.?We had the understanding from various city employees that the oil was pumped out,” said Director of Community Development Jean Delios, after explaining her side of the story. She went on to say that her department was under the assumption that all utilities had been shut off and all that was left was “the shell of a decaying building.”It wasn?t until Sept. 16, during a routine walkthrough of the building, that Delios and the rest of City Hall learned otherwise. Approximately 230 gallons of oil leaked from three of the four 330-gallon tanks located in the basement.It has since been determined that vandals broke into the vacant building, formerly the site of the Peabody Municipal Light Plant, and stole copper piping from the base of the tanks. Local crews, in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, have worked to clean up the site, 97 percent of which is complete. Delios estimated the cost of the project to reach at least $50,000.City Councilor Barry Sinewitz was quick to point out that he spoke with Nadine Binkley, the Superintendent of Peabody Schools in 2006, when the building was originally taken over by the city. He said she told him that “it was never a school department building” and “we were never told to do anything.”Councilor Anne Manning, who served on the School Committee at the time of the alleged transfer, also didn?t recall hearing any information about the building. She blamed Bonfanti, head of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, for holding meetings in his office and not informing herself or the other members of the School Committee of any plans or decisions in regards to 70 Endicott St.?When you take total control, you have to take total blame,” she told Bonfanti. “You were in charge of that board?I am pointing out to you that the behind the scenes hording of information causes situations like this.”Bonfanti defended himself by saying that many others were present during those discussions in his office.After watching too many pointing fingers, Barry Osborne stepped in to remind everyone that they have to work together and share the responsibility.?It?s not the city of Peabody and Peabody Schools – it?s one,” he said. “If we really want to cast blame, it should be on the person who broke in and stole the copper that caused the leak.”As reported earlier, vandals were caught with stolen pipes from the PMLP, but charges could not be pressed in relation to the break-in.Peabody Police Capt. Scott Carriere said there wasn?t enough evidence to link the suspects to the exact crime.Councilor James Liacos called the building “a pig” that needed to be taken down years ago. He said the city?s been putting far too much money into the upkeep of the building.?Let?s just get rid of it,” he said.