Remedial Action Plan - Rochford Field - Newhall Remediation Project

groundwater flow patterns and observations from the exploration program, significant impacts
to groundwater flow from on-site or adjacent utilities were not observed.
Groundwater elevations were based on two sets of measurements performed by Haley &
Aldrich and others in November 2004 and February 2005. Piezometric contours are shown on
Figure 2B and were previously included in the 2005 Supplemental Phase III report.
The location of subsurface utilities in and immediately adjacent to the subject site is shown in
Figure 2B. Based on an evaluation of the flow patterns and observations from the exploration
program, significant impacts to groundwater flow from on-site or adjacent utilities were not
observed.
2.1.3 History
For a more detailed description of the history of Rochford Field, please refer to the Phase I
ESA. The following is a brief summary:
Based on a review of aerial photographs, historic maps and Town of Hamden Annual Reports,
the former wetland area east of Newhall Street, south of Mill Rock Road and north of Newbury
Street (now Rochford Field) was used as a “dump” in the 1920s and early 1930s. According to
information on file in the Hamden Tax Assessors office and information in the 1936 Hamden
Annual Report, the Town of Hamden acquired the property from John M. Morse and Dorothy
H. Morse Struck on 28 September 1936. According to interviews with former residents, much
of the area between Morse Street and Mill Rock Road, west of Winchester Avenue and east of
Newhall Street was used as an industrial landfill and depository for “coke fill” (charcoal
residue and ash).
In late 1936 and 1937, the area was graded, topped with approximately 6 inches of loam and
turned into a recreation field. A ¼-mile long cinder running track was constructed on the field
in 1938. Rochford Field was officially dedicated on 7 June 1939. In the 1940s, a field house
and fence were added.
In 1989, the tornado that passed through Hamden caused a significant amount of damage in
Rochford Field. Apparently, trees were uprooted exposing ash and cinder fill as well as other
solid waste materials.
The Town contracted for the renovation of Rochford Field in 1992. Haley & Aldrich reviewed
a memorandum to the Contractor hired by the Town that cautioned against mixing “cinders and
furnace slag material” when stripping topsoil from the field. According to the memorandum,
the materials had been used as a running surface for “an old running track that looped the
fields”.
In April 2001, CTDEEP and Town officials temporarily closed Rochford Field based on results
of environmental testing in 2000 and 2001 which detected metals and SVOCs in shallow soils
above RSR criteria. In July 2001, M&E monitored interim remedial actions, including the
placement of asphalt pavement or concrete on several unvegetated, high traffic areas at
Rochford Field. The areas that were paved included: locations near the entrance gate, around
the dugout areas, under the bleachers and adjacent to the water fountain. M&E reportedly
encountered “old batteries” during remedial efforts for the southern dugout area. M&E also
supervised the placement of sod in the area of sprinkler lines and the placement of grass seed in
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