Content of ash samples taken from Wheelabrator remains unclear

SAUGUS – Representatives from Wheelabrator went before the Saugus Board of Health for their monthly update Monday night.Plant Manager Eric Lucier said he?s still waiting for test results after workers found ash in the soil near the plant entrance while digging to fix a broken water line last month.At a board meeting in February, Regional Manager Jairaj Gosine said soil samples were taken in the area and he told the board they would know more about where the ash came from in about two weeks.?We?re waiting on the a response on how to move forward,” said Lucier on Monday. “They didn?t find any additional ash. Right now they?re trying to advise us.”The board also briefly went over the plant?s quarterly environmental audit from Environ.Board of Health Chairman Joe Vinard said material found in the gutters at Wheelabrator was found to be toxic and was disposed as hazardous waste.?We didn?t know what the material was so when we cleaned it out we sent it to be tested,” said Lucier.Vinard said the board will need a couple of days to review the report before discussing it at the next meeting.?The issues are smaller,” said Vinard. “We?ll be in touch with you if there are any questions on this report, but I don?t anticipate there will be.”Vinard said the board also has to wait for an attorney to review a proposal to allow Wheelabrator to truck excess garbage to other plants.Gosine said this would only be done if there is too much trash that is waiting to be burned.?We have not heard back from outside counsel as to what the ramifications of making a change to the permit will be,” said Vinard.Lucier also set a date of April 20 at 9 a.m. for the board and other town officials to tour the plant.?We?ll have everyone in for a site tour which will include the landfill,” said Lucier.In other business, Vinard said he spoke to State Rep. Kathi-Anne Reinstein about the proposal to make changes to the state?s moratorium on trash incineration.?She wanted us to know she was going to work as hard as she can to make sure it doesn?t happen,” he said.The Board of Health has also come out in opposition to altering the moratorium.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].