Over 100 people signed a letter asking the Town Council to slow down and choose an environmentally sound solution. Read the letter that asks the Town staff follow the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s instructions to develop a Remedial Action Plan so the council and all citizens can evaluate all options for the contaminated Police Station coal ash site.
In 2014 town staff became aware that the Town’s Police Station building sat on a coal ash dump overlooking Bolin Creek. The site was likely used for construction debris as well as ash from UNC’s boiler plant decades earlier. Tests were conducted showing the ash had polluted groundwater. On October 10, the Chapel Hill Town Council discussed the staff report and voted to ask staff to gather more information, hold public meetings, as to what is the best choice. The staff has favored a brownfield program that sets minimum standards for safety and offers some liability protection.