The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has levied a $10,200 fine against Rick Denoncourt Carpentry Inc. for violating state asbestos regulations.

The violations were discovered during MassDEP’s complaint investigation of a residential building renovation located in Holyoke in November 2009. The complainant reported that asbestos thermal system insulation removal had been performed without instituting the appropriate asbestos handling and disposal procedures.

In a settlement agreement with MassDEP, Chicopee’s Rick Denoncourt Carpentry agreed to pay a penalty of $10,200, of which $7,200 was suspended for one year provided that the company remains in compliance with the state asbestos regulations.

"Failure to identify and properly remove all asbestos containing material prior to renovation or demolition activity poses a public safety hazard," said Michael Gorski, director of MassDEP’s Western regional office in Springfield. "Such actions can result in significant penalty exposure, as well as higher clean-up, decontamination, disposal and monitoring costs."