April 2022

Haley Pilot School SPC Meeting

April 28, 2021

Welcome to Elise Pechter, Industrial Hygienist

Elise Pechter has a granddaughter at the Haley, in the 5th grade. Elise has been looking at the St. Michael’s Cemetery’s request to add four more crematory ovens to their business. The Haley is located 1200 ft from St. Michael’s Cemetery. How would this expansion affect air quality around the Haley? See the slides at the bottom of this page.

1. What goes into the air when creartorium are operating? 

   1. Metals, mercury, lead, carbon dioxide, particulate matter, PCCD and PCDF (these bioaccumulate).

2. What are the health risks when these materials go into the air?

   1. Higher risk of heart disease, stroke, and respiratory disease. This adds to the burden of disease that already exists in surrounding neighborhoods. 

   2. Higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

3. The EPA has given approval, although their standards allow a certain amount of materials to go into the air. 

4. Others are asking questions about the impacts on air quality, including neighborhood organizations in the area as well as Boston City Councilor Brian Worrel.

5. On April 5, 2022, the cemetery’s appeal was rejected by the zoning board. However, they can resubmit within the year if they choose. 

6. One possible solution: requirement for the cemetery to install wet scrubbers, which can remove some of these particulates from waste that is released in the air. 

7. What can we do?

   1. Partner with the Mt. Hope Manning Canterbury Neighborhood Association. They have a facebook page and are a very active group. 

   2. Partner with other organizations who are looking into this issue.

Other SPC updates

The Haley is hosting a Spring Arts Festival on June 9 from 4:30pm to 7:30pm, on the Haley School Grounds. 

This is a festival celebrating our childrens’ art and music. 

Our first opportunity to come together as a community in quite some time to watch an art performance, enjoy food together, learn more about the SPC and the governing board, and raise money for our childrens’ learning (bake sale, raffles, etc.)

Chocolate sale is ending. It appears to have been wildly successful, and we should have a report on the sales made at our May SPC meeting. 

The SPC is starting an email listserve. Please email haleyparentcouncil@gmail.com so you can be added to the listserve.

Teacher appreciation week starts on Monday!

SPC May Meeting

May 18 at 6:30pm

Guests will be two of the Haley reading specialists sharing ideas about how to keep our young readers engaged over the summer.