HADLEY – Local and state officials say they have leads in the illegal dumping of concrete debris along the banks of the Connecticut River in North Hadley, according to Hadley Building Commissioner Timothy Neyhart.
“Police are involved, DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) is involved and there are some good leads,” Neyhart said Thursday, as the investigation continues.
Neyhart said he spent an afternoon visiting several construction sites in the area with an investigator from the Department of Environmental Protection, looking for clues as to the source of the debris.
“It’s not a sidewalk, it’s not residential, it’s definitely commercial … that’s our opinion,” he said of the materials. “It’s very thick. There’s some huge, huge pieces in there.”
One site officials investigated and ruled out is in Williamsburg, where an old bank and large vault were recently demolished to make way for a Dunkin’ Donuts, according to Neyhart.
“That’s eliminated,” he said.
The concrete debris and reinforcement bar dumped in North Hadley stretches inland about 75 feet from the river’s edge on property off River Drive, or Route 47, where it meets Stockwell Road. It was discovered by town officials after Select Board member Donald Pipczynksi said he received an anonymous email alerting him to the illegal dumping.
Whoever dumped the debris would traveled a long, winding road down to the river. Local officials say the property is owned by Edward Gralinski Jr. and they suspect heavy equipment was used to transport the concrete.
Attempts to reach Gralinski have been unsuccessful.
Staff Writer Dan Crowley can be reached at dcrowley@gazettenet.com.