Environmental investigation underway at New Windsor demolition site after tests show contamination

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is investigating the suspected contamination of a property in New Windsor by a New Jersey trucking company.

DEC and Department of Labor officials spent much of Thursday at the site of the old Destinta Theater on Route 94, taking soil samples from a pile of dirt full of construction materials.

City Councilman Steve Bedetti told News 12 that a demolition contractor – Shaffer Trucking of Lyndhurst, New Jersey – dumped truckloads of contaminated soil on the site after completing the demolition of a building behind a commercial strip.

The city initially asked Shaffer to stop work when it first became apparent that the contractor had illegally filled the demolition site with soil containing construction debris.

Bedetti said that just a few days later, he saw a truck belonging to Shaffer dumping more debris at the demolition site. He filmed it and called police.

The owner of Shaffer Trucking visited Bedetti at City Hall and said the fill material is being trucked in from a property in New Jersey.

The contractor has commissioned an independent laboratory analysis.

A soil test report obtained by News 12 shows high levels of lead, mercury, arsenic and chemicals commonly used by dry cleaners, among other contaminants.

The DEC responded by collecting soil samples for the agency’s analysis.

A spokesperson confirmed that the agency is investigating the site and said the agency will provide more information as it becomes available.

“They thought they were coming to some small town in Orange County,” Bedetti said of Shaffer Trucking, “and thought they could do whatever they wanted. What they didn’t realize was that they were dealing with an experienced crew.”

Bedetti said the Orange County district attorney’s office is also investigating the site, but a spokesman for the prosecutor’s office could not confirm that an investigation was underway.

“Whoever allowed this project to go ahead must have known it would be a disaster,” said Kjerstin Decapua, a neighbor of the site.

“He can’t get away with this for long,” said Laurie Velez, a neighbor who often walks her dog near the property. “I’m sure there are consequences for doing something like this.”

Bedetti said experts had informed him that the pollutants were not currently affecting the area around the demolition site or the air.

News 12 has called and emailed the property owner and Shaffer Trucking multiple times for comment.

There was no response by Friday evening.