The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has fined South Middlesex Non-Profit Housing Corp., a nonprofit corporation based in Framingham, $10,062 for failing to notify MassDEP of a spill of fuel oil in the dirt floor basement of one of its properties. The nonprofit failed to report the spill within the required two-hour time frame and did not conduct cleanup actions in a timely manner after it learned of it, according to MassDEP.

On Feb. 23, 2012, the corporation notified MassDEP that fuel oil leaked from an above-ground storage tank to soils in the basement of the shelter at 57 Mechanic St. in Marlborough.  The oily soils were noted by maintenance staff as early as Feb. 17, 2012, but went unabated until employees complained of odors. 

"It is crucial for any business to ensure that appropriate employees are trained to respond in a timely manner to emergency spills," Lee Dillard Adams, director of MassDEP’s Central Regional Office in Worcester said in a statement. "Prompt action minimizes the risk of impacts to people and the environment, and reduces costs."

Under the terms of the order, the corporation will revise its spill management plan to prevent future incidents of this nature, certify that all appropriate employees are trained, certify that fuel tanks at all corporation properties are inspected, and that appropriate upgrades are taken to prevent future releases. The corporation also agreed to pay $5,600 of the assessed penalty, while the remainder was suspended provided that there are no additional violations for a period of one year.