To the Editor:

Living across the road from the hospital site brings up a number of concerns, not the least of them is concern about AvalonBay’s planning with regards to the pending demolition process.

What experience does AvalonBay have when it comes to demolition of this scale? Have steps been taken to evaluate the level of asbestos in the existing structures? What plans do they have to protect the neighbors from airborne contaminants?

It is common knowledge that the hospital contains asbestos. We also know from local contractors that this is true for some pipes buried within partitions between rooms. This means that every wall in the building would need to be opened up and pipes reviewed before the actual demolition takes place. Have such detailed plans been submitted and if so, who is reviewing them?

Since there are three schools within close range of the site, how will the children be protected from this risk?

We also know that there have been numerous issues with the sewers in and around the hospital in the past — how will the demolition process affect this? How will the sewer system be protected to avoid debris entering and causing further damage?

AvalonBay has not shown much concern for the neighborhood in the process so far, and we can’t expect them to start now. It is up to our town’s leadership to manage this process and safeguard its citizens.

Elizabeth Williams

Harris Road