Town: Cleanup Of Illegal Junkyard A Success

CHATHAM – Following many years of neighbors’ complaints, legal wrangling and contentious meetings, the cleanup of the illegal junkyard at 32 Mill Hill Rd. is complete.

 Eagle Eye Contracting carried out the cleanup of the property between Oct. 14 and 20, removing around 160 cubic yards of debris — the equivalent of 16 large 40-foot roll-off dumpsters — including over three tons of tires, Natural Resources Director Greg Berman told the health board last week.

 “The tires are actually treated as hazardous materials, so that and the propane tanks and the gas tanks actually added to the project cost,” he said. “But there was some savings to the project by recycling a lot of the metal materials found onsite.” 

In all, the contractor recycled around 8,500 pounds of metal, mostly steel and aluminum. The work was done as part of a contract that authorized up to $60,250 for the job, but the actual amount will be known when the company submits its final invoice. Town meeting previously appropriated up to $150,000 for the cleanup, with the funds to be eventually recovered when the property is sold, via a lien.

 “I think they did an absolutely great job,” Berman said of the contractor. While a few items remain scattered around the property, “this is by no means an illegal landfill anymore.”

 The work was conducted under a court order that allowed the town access to the property, owned by John McGrath. The court order allows the town to keep the property clean if necessary.

 “The property owner does not expect this kind of dumping to occur again,” Berman said. If the problem recurs, “we could just do the same thing again as needed. But we have high hopes,” he said. McGrath, who vociferously denied that his property was a problem for years, appeared to be pleased with the work.

 “He did seem intrigued by having a driveway again,” Berman said. The junk had kept McGrath from keeping his vehicle in the driveway and had partially blocked access to the house.

 South Chatham resident Carole Gordon praised the cleanup, but wondered if it was truly complete.

 “There’s still quite a bit of stuff there,” she said, mentioning an old boat and a bathtub. 

 Berman said properly registered vehicles like the boat were allowed to remain, and kayaks that are part of McGrath’s business were retained and stacked neatly by the contractor.

 “The property owner considers themselves a bit of an artist and wants to have some kind of flower bed or other structure with the bathtub,” Berman said, stifling a chuckle. “It was not the largest issue on the property.”

 Berman praised Eagle Eye for working cooperatively with McGrath during the cleanup.

 “They really worked with him and I think there was some joining in, collaboration. They helped him and I think he appreciated that,” Berman said. “As I walked away, I think all parties were at peace with the outcome.”