The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has assessed a $13,540 penalty against Worcester property management company F&P LLC for violating air pollution control and solid waste management regulations on its Worcester property. 

Initiated by a call from the Worcester Fire Department on Nov. 29, 2007, MassDEP conducted an inspection of 50 Williams St., and determined that the company had been operating an incinerator without having a valid air quality plan approval issued by MassDEP. In addition, the company was burning building materials and foam, which constitutes illegal solid waste disposal, and it acted as a solid waste management facility without having a site assignment, in direct violation of solid waste management regulations.

"The burning of materials in this manner not only creates conditions of air pollution, it represents an illegal disposal wastes, which is strictly prohibited," said Martin Suuberg, director of MassDEP’s central regional office in Worcester.

MassDEP said it assessed the penalty after attempts to reach a negotiated settlement with the company could not be achieved.