Irvington UFSD Provides East Field Soil Update

In two communications from September and October, the district confirmed that soil testing on East Field had demonstrated the presence of historic, non-native fill material that is likely construction debris deposited there more than 40 years ago. We noted at that time that this type of occurrence is routine and one that occurs with frequency across the state. 

Ongoing testing of soil samples and communication with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) has been under way since that time, in anticipation of closing out the issue. 

The most recent testing results have confirmed the previous preliminary conclusions that mass removal of this material is not required to be protective of public health or the environment. Instead, as previously reported to our residents, the district's representatives are developing a plan (with guidance provided by NYSDEC and NYSDOH) that calls for modest excavation of soil in certain areas of the field followed by placement of clean fill and top soil to level and cap the field surface. Once this plan is finalized, we will certainly share this information with our residents. As to be expected, the field remains closed for all district and recreational use. 

As residents know, the Board of Education has had public discussions about potential improvements to Meszaros Field and East Field for many months. These discussions continue.