The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection announced on May 14 that it has fined Barile Environmental, Inc., a Pittsfield-based contractor, $17,400 for asbestos violations during abatement work at an office building at 23 Lewis Avenue in Great Barrington.
The issue is significant because improper handling of asbestos can pose health risks to workers and the public. MassDEP said its inspections in October 2025 found that Barile failed to follow required work practices and controls while removing asbestos-containing siding from the site.
“MassDEP enforces asbestos regulations so that management of asbestos-containing materials is completed safely,” said Michael Gorski, director of MassDEP’s Western Regional Office in Springfield. “This consent order requires payment of a substantial penalty and could have been avoided if the proper work practices were followed.”
Barile has since completed cleanup actions required by MassDEP. The company must pay $14,000 immediately as part of the settlement, with the remaining $3,400 suspended pending compliance with other administrative terms outlined by regulators.
Property owners or contractors seeking information about managing asbestos-containing materials are encouraged to contact their regional MassDEP office for guidance on notification requirements and safe removal procedures. The MassDEP Central Regional Office serves 77 towns and cities with a population of about 900,000; it provides regulatory oversight across Worcester County and parts of Middlesex and Norfolk counties while advancing public access to environmental information and safeguarding key watersheds, according to the official website.
