EPA and Boston Trade Grants, Settlements

BOSTON-The Environmental Protection Agency has issued a $28,301 fine for lead paint disclosure violations to the Mayo Development Group LLC, which the development group has agreed to pay under a settlement. The group will also spend $152,420 to replace 157 windows containing lead-based paint at 137-149 and 161 Broad St. in Lynn, MA. As part of the settlement, Boston-based Mayo has agreed to maintain compliance with the Disclosure Rule. The window replacement is a Supplemental Environment Project, where a company puts part of the settlement money toward an environmental project, as opposed to handing the sum over to the EPA–in this case, replacing old windows in some of their buildings.

The dispute arose in July 2006 when EPA inspectors conducted an inspection at Mayo’s Boston offices and determined that lead paint disclosure had not been provided to tenants prior to executing lease contracts, which violates the Toxic and Federal Disclosure Rule. The properties in question range five communities in Massachusetts, many of which were constructed before 1978 and are subject to the lead paint Disclosure Rule, according to an EPA release.

The Disclosure Rule gives tenants adequate information about the risks associated with lead paint in particular rental units and related common areas so that they may consider the risks prior to agreeing to obligations under a lease contract. It was determined that Mayo failed to comply with the Disclosure Rule in regard to lead-based paint on window replacements which were in units that were then rented.