A detailed update on the remediation of PFAS contamination on Richardson Road was presented, outlining the progress and challenges faced in ensuring the area’s groundwater safety. The pump and treat system, operational since July 2022, has treated approximately 97 million gallons of water, showing favorable trends in PFAS concentration levels. Notably, the levels at monitoring well MW1, historically recording the highest PFAS concentration, have decreased from a maximum of 1,417 parts per trillion to 11.2 parts per trillion, which is below the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s (MassDEP) threshold of 20 parts per trillion.

However, a notable concern was raised about an increase in PFAS concentrations at monitoring well MW-19, which saw a rise of approximately 20 parts per trillion. The board was informed that while overall contaminant concentrations have halved since the remedial measures began, certain wells like MW-109 have shown anomalies, necessitating future resampling.

In addition to the environmental concerns, the board approved a pipelining project on Hugo Lane, awarding the contract to Insituform Technologies with a bid of $552,000. This decision followed a careful review of the bidding process, where significant variance in bid amounts was noted. The town manager assured the board of the project’s budget alignment and the reliability of the chosen contractor based on past experience.

Election preparations were also a critical point of discussion, with updates on mail-in ballots, absentee voting, and early voting details. Approximately 9,000 mail-in ballots have been dispatched, and a new ballot drop box is now available at the town offices. The voter registration deadline is October 26, with early voting taking place from October 19 to November 1, including weekend hours.

Community engagement was highlighted with the announcement of Chelmsford’s first annual Indigenous People’s Day celebration on October 12, featuring performances and educational booths. The board also recognized the need for volunteers for the upcoming holiday parade and tree lighting event on December 1.

The meeting concluded with discussions on the installation of lights at the dog park to extend its operational hours. Additionally, the board acknowledged several grants received for electric vehicles and roadway safety improvements, supporting Chelmsford’s sustainability efforts.