State Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, of Elmont, who helped organize the Feb. 11 meeting, told the Herald that the safety of community members is a priority. “During this process, we must ensure that the environment and residents are protected,” she said. “As a community, we look forward to the next step that will bring quality development to the site. I applaud the DEC for including the community in this important conversation.”

Marthe Desdunes, executive director of Solages’s office, said that the main concern being expressed by residents is whether there would be any danger that the contaminants in the soil would become airborne during the cleanup. That concern, she said, has been addressed by a spokesperson for the State Department of Health, who explained that even if soil particles become airborne, there is no real danger to the public because the contaminants are nothing more serious than what is commonly found in soil that underlies auto garages and repair shops.

Residents have until March 17 to submit comments to the DEC. They can send them via mail to Chek Beng Ng, P.E., NYSDEC, Division of Environmental Remediation, 625 Broadway, 12th Floor, Albany, N.Y. 12233-7017, or by email to cbng@gw.dec.state.ny.us.