Projects

Projects and collaborations of WRAFT members, academic partners, and others to find the answers and resources our communities need to address environmental contamination and its effects.

Westfield PFAS Exposure And Community Health Survey
WRAFT has partnered with Dr. Courtney Carignan and her research team from Michigan State University to conduct a community health survey to identify potential PFAS related health effects experienced by residents affected by the contamination of our drinking water.

This work is funded through a pair of Technical Assistance Grants administered by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection awarded to WRAFT in 2024 and 2026. More here.

Westfield Breathe-ability Project
In 2024, WRAFT was awarded ten (10) Purple Air Flex PM2.5 air quality monitors by MassDEP, adding to those hosted by the City of Westfield.

With real-time air quality data, residents and decision makers can make informed decisions about how to protect themselves, their families, and our community.

More here.

National PFAS Contamination Awareness Day
On Thursday, July 30, 2026, WRAFT applied to the National Day Archives to have April 6th designated as National PFAS Contamination Awareness Day. On Friday, August 14, 2026, WRAFT's application was approved!!!

Learn more about this effort here.

Barnes Air National Guard Base Restoration Advisory Board
Westfield's Public Involvement Process in the PFAS Cleanup Activities at Barnes ANGB

The Barnes Air National Guard Base Restoration Advisory Board meets quarterly on the 4th Thursday of the month in April, July and October, and the last Thursday of January. These meetings are open to the public. Details here.

What's the latest?
At the July 2026 Barnes ANGB RAB meeting, which was virtual only, Community RAB members were updated on the ongoing environmental sampling, and also told that the estimated date of completion for the RI/FS section of the CERCLA process has been extended to September 2050.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (TAPP) GRANT #3

Presentation occurred at April 2026 meeting. Slidedeck Minutes Video (presentation begins 8:36 min)

Community RAB Members requested Dr. Boutt and associates return to examine the records for co-contaminants and previously attempted remediation efforts that may affect PFAS remediation options at the Base.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (TAPP) GRANT #2

Timeline

October 2023 - Community RAB members approved their second application for a grant for Technical Assistance for Public Participation. This TAPP grant request was for trusted local experts, to review and report back on historical community health data that could potentially relate to our PFAS exposure from the drinking water contaminated from fire training activities and other discharges at the Base.
July 2024 - DoD RAB members announced that the TAPP grant had been awarded and contracting was proceeding.
October 2024 - DoD RAB members shared that the TAPP contract had been awarded to a contractor named Chloeta.
April 2025 - Chloeta delivered their TAPP report and presentation.
May 2025 - Community RAB members submitted their review of these deliverables as not responsive to the project asks or community needs.
June 30, 2025 - Community RAB members received revised drafts for review indicating that the answers to the community RAB member questions were beyond the grant's funding and timeframe. Community RAB members found these results and this contractor unacceptable.
July 24, 2025 - DoD RAB members shared this TAPP project was closed out.

Technical assistance for public participation (TAPP) grant #1

Expert Assistance from Dr. David Boutt and his team reviewing Waste Site Cleanup documents related to the PFAS contamination at the Base.
Dr. Boutt presented his findings to the RAB in October 2023.
TAPP 1 Report

Ongoing Collaborations

Nantucket PFAS Well Project

A collaborative project to provide PFAS information and screening to Nantucket residents.

Test The Turf Collaborative

A data driven discussion of artificial turf.

Previous Efforts

Westfield Battery Storage

THE PETITION FOR THIS PROJECT WAS OFFICIALLY WITHDRAWN AND NO LONGER POSES A THREAT TO OUR AIR AND WATER RESOURCES.
WRAFT, along with 27 Westfield residents and represented by Dennis Murphy of Hill Law, successfully petitioned for Intervenor status in the Westfield ESS, LLC / Jupiter Power petition, which is currently before the Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB), for exemption from Westfield's zoning ordinances and permission to run cables under Medeiros Way in Westfield, Massachusetts. More information has been documented on our Westfield Battery Storage page.