In addition to the alarming signs about asbestos, the fence has been left wide open.

Public Works - KS (Community Relations) assigned this issue to Inspectional Services - JL (Inspections)

State DEP Inspectors are aware of this site and have been visiting/are in communication with the property owner. There is ongoing testing and abatement on site. The plastic protection covering the debris was installed per the direction of state inspectors. Any hazardous materials identified on site will be properly disposed of by licensed abatement contractors.

Current testing indicates that asbestos is not present on site, but precautions will continue to be taken.

Thank you for reporting your concern. Please see previous comment for explanation. Contact ISD directly at 617-349-6100 if you have additional questions or concerns.

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I spoke with MA DEP just now. I should amend my earlier comment and let you know that there is asbestos containing materials on site under the plastic. The property owner has a contractor lined up to remediate the site.

Can you help us understand the nature of asbestos issues on the site, especially since this seems to contradict the findings of recent testing as referenced above?

Thank you for reporting your concern to City of Cambridge via Commonwealth Connect. We have reviewed the information you provided our staff and will be investigating this issue further.

I apologize for the contradictory comments and confusion. There was a “SeeClickFix” complaint that I responded to on 11/30. My response was based on the information I had in that moment. I updated my response once I received more reliable information to keep everyone informed, but I can understand that this must have caused some confusion! Hopefully, the information listed below can help to clarify the situation.

The piles of debris in the front yard at 133 Fayerweather contain material that was tested by MA Department of Environmental Protection inspectors sometime between November 13th and 17th. Materials within the pile were found to be Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM.) Based on these findings, DEP ordered the owner/developer to cover the debris pile with a minimum of 2 layers 6 ml poly sheeting and label the pile.

An asbestos survey was then ordered for the remaining materials on site. The asbestos survey ordered for the remaining materials came back showing no additional ACM detected. (When I first answered the online complaint, I was only in possession of this report, along with another from 2022 which showed no ACM, and unaware of the testing done by MA DEP.)

DEP has also ordered the owner/developer to hire an asbestos abatement contractor to assess the situation and submit a Non-Traditional Asbestos Abatement plan for approval. Until this abatement plan is approved my DEP, no work is allowed on site. The DEP inspector in charge of this case has assured me that he will keep me in the loop.

I also spoke with Cambridge Public Health today who have offered to assist in answering questions about the safety of neighboring properties given the presence of ACM at 133 Fayerweather. I will be meeting with them tomorrow to discuss this matter further and will follow up if I have any additional information to share. I will also be asking DEP about their preference for communication as they have authority over all ACM-related activities on site.

MA DEP monitoring site. https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-environmental-protection

For more information, you may contact the Inspectional Services Dept. at 617-349-6100.

Cambridge Public Health can also be reached with questions about hazardous materials. CPHDfrontdesk@challiance.org 617-665-3800

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