Town selectman says contaminant issue in Fairfield turning political

Fairfield is safe and fields are back open after contaminants were found, according to town officials. But the town's first selectman says the issue could be turning political.

News 12 Staff

Sep 11, 2019, 9:56 PM

Updated 1,853 days ago

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Fairfield is safe and fields are back open after contaminants were found, according to town officials. But the town's first selectman says the issue could be turning political.
Fairfield Department of Public Works Superintendent Scott Bartlett and Public Works Director Joseph Michelangelo were arrested last month for their alleged involvement in an illegal dumping scheme. Police say Julian Enterprises was illegally dumping waste at the town's public works site, and that material was used at local parks and fields.
First Selectman Mike Tetreau spent the last month hiring environmental firms to check soil in town that tested for levels of arsenic, lead and asbestos.
Fairfield Public Schools Superintendent Mike Cummings says all seven school sites are back open after test results came back negative for contaminants Tuesday.
"Fairfield fields are now the most tested and safest fields for any town in the state," Tetreau said.
Dana Kery told News 12 last week she was the first to find the contaminants at Gould Manor Park in 2013. She called it "gross mismanagement." News 12 has since learned she is running for Fairfield Republican representative town meeting candidate. Tetreau questioned her timing.
"From May 2015 to August 2019, she didn't say anything," Tetreau said.
He is also concerned after his Republican challenger Brenda Kupchik posted her disgust with the issue on Facebook
"It is very disappointing that someone would take issue like this, that is such a concern for our residents and public safety," he said.
Michelangelo and Bartlett have since been fired by the town. Both are due in court next week.