Help! This Is A Critical Time For Your Voice!

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Fugitive Dust - Dust that moves over Hartford Iron's property line is a violation of state rules (326 IAC 6-4 and 6-5) On Saturday, October 21st, a meeting took place at City Hall. Very few residents attended the informative presentation by IPFW students.

The Mayor and Council Persons witnessed the low turnout causing them to believe no one cares about Hartford Iron and Metal. Blackford County Concerned Citizens is working to persuade government officials to act concerning the problems at Hartford Iron and Metal, but it is nearly impossible without support of the community.

We realize it was Fall break week and a nice day, so we have created an electronic opportunity for you to respond. This is your opportunity to ask city government to relocate Hartford Iron and Metal to the Industrial Park.

Spread the news far and wide! Here is what you can do:

We Need You! The Time To Act Is Now! Don’t Be Ignored!

 

Contact the officials on the list below and request that they attend the meeting on Saturday, November 18th:

     
Hartford City Mayor’s Office
Mayor Ben Hodgin mayorhodgin@hartfordcity.net (765)348-0412
Arlene West, Administrative Assistant aswest@hartfordcity.net (765)348-0412
     
Hartford City Mayor’s Office
Mayor Ben Hodgin mayorhodgin@hartfordcity.net (765)348-0412
Arlene West, Administrative Assistant aswest@hartfordcity.net (765)348-0412
     
Hartford City Council
Dennis Nottingham, District 1 dwnottingham@sbcglobal.net (765)348-5215
Dustin George, District II dustinmgeorge@gmail.com (765)331-9232
Jimmy Lytle, District III jrlytle@mmm.com (765)730-0655
William Hess, District IV bhess8@comcast.net (765)348-0549
Garry Monroe, At-Large gmdoordr@yahoo.com (765)348-6076
     
Police
Scott D. Mealy, Chief hcpdsmealy@hartfordcity.net (765)348-4819
     
Board Of Public Works And Safety
G. Andrew Glentzer aglentzer@gmail.com (765)348-5400
Cindy Gross cgross125@gmail.com (765)348-4794
     
Hartford City Water Works
Ronald Thomas, Superintendent hartfordcitywater@yahoo.com (765)348-2230
     
Waste Water Treatment
Gregg Jones gjones@hartfordcity.net (765)348-3855
     
Blackford County Economic Development
Colton Bickel, Exec. Dir. colton@blackfordindiana.com (765)348-4944
     
Blackford County Health Department
John Lancaster, President jlancaster@blackfordcounty.com (765)348-1620
Donald Hunsberger, Chairman, BC Board of Health (765)348-4317 and (765)348-0300
     
Indiana Department of Environmental Management
Donald Snemis, General Counsel & Deputy Chief of Staff dsnemis@idem.in.gov
Paul Higginbotham, Deputy Assistant Commissioner (Water) phigginb@idem.in.gov
Nancy Johnston njohnsto@idem.in.gov
Office of Air Quality, Compliance & Enforcement Branch (317)233-6865
David Zier, BC Air Compliance Inspector dzier@idem.in.gov (317)233-1136
     
Environmental Protection Agency
Rafael Gonzalez Gonzalez.rafaelp@epa.gov (312)886-0269

Hartford Iron and Metal

Summary Of The Situation

Since 2006, Hartford Iron and Metal in Hartford City, Indiana, has been in violation for improper methods for containing harmful chemicals, including PCBs, from their industrial work.

In 2009 the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and Hartford Iron and Metal agreed, in a Court Approved Consent Decree, to clean their site.

In 2011, and again in 2015, IDEM completed another inspection and found Hartford Iron and Metal was still in violation. Some methods of cleanup did occur, but none of them were substantial enough to actually make a difference.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management has allowed Hartford Iron and Metal to continue business and to expand operations for eleven years after being originally cited for violations even though they are still not in compliance with the Court Order Decree of 2009.

It is time for real change for the citizens of Hartford City. Come join that change on November 18th at 10 a.m. The meeting will be located at City Hall, 700 N. Walnut St., Hartford City, IN.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at 765-730-4168 or email us at blackfordcoconcernedcitizens[at]gmail[dot]com.

IDEM Continues to Drop the Ball in Hartford City

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The <a href="http://www.in.gov/idem/">Indiana Department of Environmental Management</a> has allowed Hartford Iron and Metal to continue business and to expand operations for eleven years after being originally cited for violations even though they are still not in compliance with the Court Order Decree of 2009. Since 2006, Hartford Iron and Metal in Hartford City, Indiana, has been in violation for improper methods for containing harmful chemicals, including PCBs, from their industrial work.

In 2009 the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and Hartford Iron and Metal agreed, in a Court Approved Consent Decree, to clean their site.

In 2011, and again in 2015, IDEM completed another inspection and found Hartford Iron and Metal was still in violation. Some methods of cleanup did occur, but none of them were substantial enough to actually make a difference.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management has allowed Hartford Iron and Metal to continue business and to expand operations for eleven years after being originally cited for violations even though they are still not in compliance with the Court Order Decree of 2009.

It is time for real change for the citizens of Hartford City. Come join that change on October 21st and November 18th at 10 a.m. The meetings are located at City Hall, 700 N. Walnut St., Hartford City, IN.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at 765-730-4168 or email us at blackfordcoconcernedcitizens[at]gmail[dot]com.

Report a Problem

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Fugitive Dust - Dust that moves over Hartford Iron's property line is a violation of state rules (326 IAC 6-4 and 6-5)

Fugitive Dust – Dust that moves over Hartford Iron and Metal’s property line is a violation of state rules (326 IAC 6-4 and 6-5)

Storm Water – If it runs off of Hartford Iron and Metal untreated, it is a violation of their Agreed Order

Open Burning – Such that “air contaminants resulting from combustion are emitted directly into the air, without passing through a stack or chimney” is prohibited in Indiana except for campfires and certain agricultural maintenance (326 IAC 4)

 

1. Submit a Complaint On-Line: http://www.in.gov/idem/5275.htm
2. Call the Complaint Coordinator: (800) 451-6027 ext. 24464 or (317) 232-4464
3. Print, Complete, and Mail: a paper-based Complaint Submission Form from https://forms.in.gov/Download.aspx?id=5693

What You Can Do – Contact IDEM to Convene a Public Hearing

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Here is the notice published by Indiana Department of Environmental Management. Please write IDEM. The more citizens IDEM hears from, the greater the likelihood they will convene a public hearing. Deadline for letters is June 12th.

Here is a sample letter you can use for writing your own response:

[Date – must be posted by June 12, 2017]
ATTN: Ms. Kerlann Bunch, Permit Manager
IDEM/OWQ/NPDES/PS
100 N. Senate Ave.
Mail Code 65/42PS
Room 1255
Indianapolis, IN 46204

[OR you can email written comments to kbunch@idem.in.gov)

Dear Ms. Kerlann Bunch, Permit Manager,

We are requesting that IDEM convene a Public Hearing with regards to Hartford Iron and Metal. There has been a significant amount of rain during the past several weeks with a substantial of water runoff not being captured by the existing system. There has been no demonstration of how the proposed system will be successful in treating the runoff water issue. Additionally, the proposed system amounts to an expansion of the existing facility.

Recent investigation and research indicates that fugitive dust contaminated by significant amounts of arsenic, lead, chromium, cadmium and nickel is being deposited on the surrounding landscape in the residential neighborhood – upwind as well as downwind from Hartford Iron and Metal. This suggests that the contaminated fugitive dust is not being carried by the wind, but is generated onsite by ongoing Hartford Iron and Metal activities. The contaminated dust is then washed during rainfall into the stormwater drainage system. This stormwater needs to be addressed as well as the stormwater coming directly off of the site.

Please notify us of your intention.
Thank you,
[your name]
[all requests must include your name, contact information, address, phone and email if you have one)]

Update on Hartford Iron and Metal

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Dear Neighbors,

On Earth Day (April 22), students from IPFW from Dr. Steiner’s class, along with 10 students from Jabin Burnworth’s North Manchester High School class, gathered moss samples from selected trees surrounding Hartford Iron and Metal. Zachary Elick wrote a nice article about the event in the IPFW Communicator. Moss samples were collected and tested by a Certified Lab in Oregon experienced in testing moss samples. The sample testing results and analysis showed that there is a meaningful difference between the levels at the control site and the sites taken from the neighborhood surrounding Hartford Iron and Metal. Moss was tested for arsenic, lead, chromium, cadmium and nickel. Fifteen people indicated interest in forming a neighborhood association. Next Fall, students from IPFW want to work with the neighborhood association to put together an action plan to present to county officials later in the Fall. If you are interested in joining this group, send us an email and we will put you in contact with them.

Feel free to email us at blackfordcoconcernedcitizens[at]gmail[dot]com.

On Earth Day (April 22), students from IPFW from Dr. Steiner’s class, along with 10 students from Jabin Burnworth’s North Manchester High School class, gathered moss samples from selected trees surrounding Hartford Iron and Metal.

The Neighborhood Impact of Hartford Iron and Metal [Updated 10/14/2016]

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A Community Dialogue

Join the Conversation — Open to the General Public

  • Who: Representatives from the Hoosier Environmental Council, Hartford Iron & Metal, Blackford County Concerned Citizens, and Technical Assistance to Brownfields Communities (TAB)
  • What: Engage in conversation about how to address the impact of Hartford Iron & Metal on the immediate neighborhood
  • When: October 22, 2016 10 am – 1 pm
  • Where: City Hall, 700 North Walnut Street, Hartford City, IN map
  • Why: Neighborhood interests are underrepresented in remediation plans

Hartford Iron and Metal

click here for a printable version

 

A collaborative project between Blackford County Concerned Citizens and IPFW

 

Blackford County Concerned CitizensIndiana Campus CompactIPFW

 

About Indiana Campus Compact

Indiana Campus Compact (ICC) is a partnership of Indiana’s public, private, and community college higher education institutions focused on advocating, implementing, and improving service engagement, so that students graduate as well-informed, engaged and productive members of society, who are fully enabled to provide leadership and service that advances the public good in their communities. For more information, please visit www.indianacampuscompact.org.

Photo Voice Project

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Do you have concerns about public health in your community? Do you want investigation into possible pollution sights in your neighborhood? Are you proud to live in Blackford County? Then come share your concerns with the community!

You are invited to participate in the Blackford County Concerned Citizens’ (BCCC) Photo Voice Project!

Please join us on March 19th at City Hall. We want to hear you share your story!

 

Update on Hartford Iron Cleanup

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Eighteen Blackford County citizens attended a public information meeting November 7 at City Hall in Hartford City hosted by Blackford County Concerned Citizens. Indra Frank, Environmental Health Director for the Hoosier Environmental Council, gave a synopsis of the public record on Hartford Iron’s cleanup including what contaminants have been found there and what cleanup has occurred, so far. Kristen Belcredi, Senior Vice President of Engineering Services with Keramida, answered questions on Keramida’s plans to install a permanent storm water treatment system.  The system will include a retention pond at the Chestnut Street property owned by Hartford Iron. The storm water from Hartford Iron will be collected there and then treated to remove contaminants before it is released into the storm sewer. Ms. Belcredi reported that there will be a fence around the pond. In answer to questions about mosquito control, she said that the water will be circulating which discourages mosquito breeding and they will use control measures, if needed.  There ismore information on the cleanup here.

If you see or hear explosions at Hartford Iron or see dust and soil from Hartford Iron spreading beyond their property line, please call the Complaint Coordinator for the Indiana Department of Environmental Management at (800) 451-6027 ext. 24464 or file a complaint electronically here.

Meeting on Hartford Iron Cleanup

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Blackford County Concerned Citizens (BCCC) in partnership with the Hoosier Environmental Council (HEC) has reviewed the public record on the Hartford Iron contamination and cleanup.

On Saturday, Nov 7, 2015, BCCC hosted a meeting to provide an update on the cleanup. 18 Blackford County citizens attended including Mayor Hodgin.  The environmental consulting firm responsible for the next steps in the cleanup, Keramida, sent their Senior Vice President for Engineering Services, Kristen Belcredi, to the meeting.

BCCC president, Joe Castelo, gave an introduction.  Dr. Indra Frank, Environmental Health Director with HEC, gave a synopsis of the violations, agreed order, contaminants, and cleanup to date.  Her presentation is available here. Kristen Belcredi, from Keramida, explained the storm water system that is going to be installed.  It will collect all of the storm water that runs off of Hartford Iron into a retention pond that will be built on a property Hartford Iron owns on the south side of Chestnut Street.  From there the water will be treated to remove contaminants before being released into the storm sewer.  Ms. Belcredi explained that the water in the pond will be moving, which discourages mosquito breeding, but if necessary they will treat it to prevent mosquitoes.  There were some excellent questions from the attendees.

 

Hartford Iron satellite view 2-2012

Hartford Iron, satellite view