ELIZABETH SKRAPITS / PUBLISHED: MARCH 24, 2016

 

ASHLEY — Representatives from the state Department of Environmental Protection met with workers contracted by Huber Breaker property owners Paselo Logistics to review plans for getting rid of refuse and debris at the site, DEP Spokeswoman Colleen Connolly confirmed.

Wednesday was the deadline for Paselo to begin cleanup at the former coal processing facility, per an agreement reached with DEP in Luzerne County Court on March 14.

Wednesday afternoon, a small group of men could be seen talking in front of one of the remaining buildings at the site. They left around 3 p.m., one in a vehicle with a DEP insignia.

In October 2013, Paselo and New Jersey-based Reivia Ashley LLC bought the 26.58-acre Huber Breaker property in bankruptcy court. They demolished most of the buildings a few months later in order to salvage scrap metal, but didn’t clean up afterwards.

DEP issued an order on Feb. 26, 2015, instructing Paselo to get rid of demolition debris, as well as identify and remove contaminants — including asbestos-containing waste the agency found in a container.

On Monday, DEP announced that asbestos fibers were found in five soil samples taken from the site on March 8 and sent to EMSL Analytical Laboratories of New Jersey for testing.

Connolly said the crew contracted by Paselo has been cautioned to work in other areas and stay away from where the asbestos fibers were found. She said Paselo has to work with DEP on a plan to remove the asbestos and contaminated soil.