EAST BRIDGEWATER - January 12, 2026 - The Select Board has authorized a $1.5 million grant application to the EPA to clean up the former Precise Engineering site on West Union Street. Described as a collapsing eyesore sitting atop a drinking water resource area, the town hopes this “last chance” funding will finally allow for the remediation of the hazardous property.
The Full Story
The East Bridgewater Select Board held a public hearing regarding the “Precise Engineering” site at 54 West Union Street. Tracey Costa, a Licensed Site Professional from Verdantas, presented the town’s plan to apply for a $1.5 million EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant.
The 1.4-acre site, which has been vacant for over 20 years and was taken by the town for taxes in 2010, is in a state of severe disrepair. Costa described the building as “collapsing” and noted it contains asbestos, while the ground beneath it is contaminated with chlorinated volatile organic compounds (VOCs), petroleum hydrocarbons, PCBs, and metals [23:08].
Crucially, the site sits in a “Zone 2” water resource area, meaning it lies above a drinking water supply.
“The building is collapsing... It is underlain by a drinking water supply... [There are] chlorinated volatile organic compounds or VOCs in groundwater... attributed to spills, truck bodies, degassing tanks.” — Tracey Costa, Verdantas [23:08]
The grant would fund the demolition of the dangerous structure, soil capping, and “in-situ” remediation, which involves injecting additives into the ground to treat the groundwater contamination [28:49]. The town is applying for the maximum amount of $1.5 million, which is expected to cover the full cost of the cleanup [39:27].
Residents raised concerns about the timeline and future use. Resident Jack Darlington urged the board to act, stating, “It’s been already been going on for 20 years... Let’s do something” [48:04].
Union Tensions Flare
During the open forum, the meeting began with a sharp rebuke from the town’s clerical workers union. Bryan Voci, representing the union, read a statement criticizing the town’s handling of contract negotiations. Voci accused the town of “bad faith bargaining” for withdrawing a previous offer and pushing for mediation, which he claimed wastes taxpayer money on legal fees.
“Taxpayers are now paying a premium for the town’s unwillingness to honor its own offer,” Voci stated, adding that the town is choosing a “more expensive, more combative path” rather than paying employees fair wages [06:52]. The Board did not respond during the open forum session, as is standard procedure.
Town Meeting Protocol Debated
Town Moderator Bob Looney appeared before the Board to discuss town meeting procedures. This followed complaints from the November 24th meeting where a motion to “move the question” abruptly ended debate on a controversial item.
Looney defended the practice as a standard parliamentary tool decided by the voters, not the moderator. “I don’t make the decision, the body made [the] decision to limit debate overwhelmingly,” Looney explained [56:05]. Select Board member Katherine Mullen noted that many first-time attendees were confused by the terminology and felt unheard. Looney agreed to remain accessible to residents who have questions about the process [01:06:55].
Why It Matters
For East Bridgewater residents, the Precise Engineering cleanup is a critical environmental and financial issue. Leaving the site alone costs the town liability and potential groundwater risks, while cleaning it up could eventually return the property to the tax rolls or allow for safe community use. Meanwhile, the friction with the clerical union suggests potential disruptions or rising legal costs if labor disputes continue.
Official Minutes & Data
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: To approve the minutes of the December 22, 2025, Select Board meeting.
Vote: Unanimous [19:19]
Motion: To approve a new contract with Charlie Seelig to serve as Town Administrator (extending to August 30, 2027).
Vote: Unanimous [19:35]
Motion: Authorization to proceed in submitting the grant application for the EPA Brownfields grant.
Vote: Unanimous [50:06]
Motion: To schedule a road acceptance hearing for Whitmarsh Lane Extension for April 13, 2026.
Vote: Unanimous [08:44]
Motion: To approve the Treasurer/Collector to sell specific tax-foreclosed properties.
Vote: Unanimous [09:33]
Public Comment
Bryan Voci (Union Rep): Expressed frustration over “bad faith” contract negotiations and the town’s move to mediation [05:48].
Colleen Deese (Resident): Requested relief for a $3,000+ water bill caused by a leak. The Board explained they could not waive the fee due to state law and fairness but would investigate if interest could be reduced [08:11].
Jason Maloney (Resident): Reported that the fence at the Precise Engineering site is broken and hazardous [48:22].
What’s Next
Grant Application: The town will submit the $1.5 million EPA grant application by the January 28th deadline.
Fence Repair: The DPW was notified to repair the hazardous fence at the Precise Engineering site immediately.
Union Mediation: The town and clerical union are set to return to mediation in the upcoming weeks.
The Zone 2 drinking water detail is what makes this urgent beyond the usual brownfield cleanup. Twenty years of a collapsing structure leaching VOCs into groundwater is wild. I saw similiar delays with a contaminated site near my old nieghborhood and the remediation costs tripled.