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The Hoosic River, as seen here from Hunter's Foundry Road in North Adams, turned a greyish-white color on Tuesday due to the discharge of calcium carbonate.

Accidental Release of Calcium Carbonate Turns Hoosic River White

By Brian RhodesiBerkshires Staff
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ADAMS, Mass — The Hoosic River turned a greyish-white color on Tuesday after the accidental release of calcium carbonate into the river. 

Following a discharge of the calcium carbonate into the settling ponds of the Specialty Minerals plant in Adams on Nov. 16, the river was visibly white from Adams to the Vermont state line. Calcium carbonate is not toxic to humans or animals. 

 

"The substance in the river is a common mineral found readily around the world in general, and specifically in the ground surrounding our plant in Adams Mass," said Michael Landau, director of corporate communications at SMI, in a statement to iBerkshires. "It is an inert, non-toxic and natural form of calcium carbonate, also known as chalk or limestone. Calcium carbonate is non-toxic and is often consumed by people or animals in food, medicines, or as an anti-acid." 

 

After hearing what had happened to the river, Town Administrator Jay Green arranged a meeting with the Northern Berkshire Regional Emergency Planning Committee and representatives from SMI, Adams, North Adams and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. Green said at Wednesday's Board of Selectmen meeting that he appreciated everyone who helped fix the situation. 

 

"I'd like to thank so many people this morning who showed up here," he said. "Chairman [John] Duval was here, Dr. [David] Rhoads from the Board of Health was here. Not only our paid staff, but some of our stipend folks, such as Chief [Richard] Kleiner, Mayor Tom Bernard appeared here, his staff, his Board of Health Chair [Northern Berkshire EMS] Chief John Meaney, was here. We had a really productive conversation." 

 

Green read a statement from the Northern Berkshire Regional Emergency Planning Committee at the meeting, which summarized the situation. 

 

"Specialty Minerals stated that they had a 'process upset' and immediately upon being discovered they shut down their operation until their settling ponds have cleared and treatment could meet their permit limits," the statement said. 

 

After taking samples, the state Department of Environmental Protection confirmed that the discharge did not pose a health risk to humans. MassDEP will continue sampling the water over the coming days. 

 

Landau said after discovering the calcium carbonate discharge, SMI employees contacted MassDEP and other relevant authorities. He said MassDEP staff have been on-site and will continue to monitor the situation. 

 

"The team acted quickly to ensure the release was contained shortly after occurring and has been conducting an investigation, with the support of the MassDEP, to identify the root cause of the release," he said. "This activity is also in compliance with our permitting requirement. As a result, we have ceased relevant operations until we can confirm the site is in compliance with all applicable permits. With respect to cleanup, we will be working with the MassDEP to determine any corrective actions necessary."

 

Rhoads said he is relieved that the incident did not release anything toxic into the river. 

 

"I totally appreciate Specialty Minerals and all of the efforts they take to get it right and to work with a town," he said. "I feel badly that they had this accident, but we're all working together to address the public awareness program, as well as how to prevent something like this from happening in the future, and I'm very happy that it was no hazard." 

 

NB-REPC said in its statement that the committee and Adams will continue monitoring the situation and provide updates. 


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Adams Holiday Home Decorating Contest Registration Open

ADAMS, Mass. — The Events Committee in Adams has announced the details for the 2024 Holiday Home Decorating Contest. 

All residents within the boundaries of the Town of Adams are eligible to participate.  Entry applications are available on the Town's website and must be received no later than 5 pm on Friday, December 6, 2024.  Once all registrations have been received, a map will be created and posted online Wednesday, December 11.

Contest is for exterior decorations only, including decorations in windows that are visible from the exterior.  Judging will be done from outside the residence only and from the street; community members are not to enter the property to view back or side yards.   

Three prizes will be awarded:  One 1st prize - $150.00 Gift Card to the Adams Hometown Market, One 2nd prize - $100.00 Gift Card to the Adams Hometown Market and One 3rd prize - $50.00 Gift Card to the Adams Hometown Market.  The Community Choice award winner will receive a gift card.

The community is encouraged to drive around and view all the entries and cast a vote using the online voting form.  Judging will be done from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Friday, Dec. 13 – Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024.  The on-line app will be open until 8 pm on December 15 for community members to cast their votes.  A Judging Panel will choose 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.  The community will choose the Community Choice winner. 

Holiday Home Decorating participants should ensure that all lights, animations and decorations are in place and activated for the judging periods on both nights.

Entry is free as there are no costs or fees to apply to participate.  The Committee encourages residents to be creative, festive, fun and safe this holiday season.

Visit https://www.town.adams.ma.us/ to sign up or learn more about this event.

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