1959 — Varian Associates buys former Bomac Laboratories at 150 Sohier Road in Beverly
1985 — Hazardous material found when company removes an underground storage tank
1992 — Varian begins cleanup under state oversight
1993 — State establishes “public involvement plan” requiring public meetings
1995 — Varian sells site to Communications & Power Industries but remains responsible for cleanup
1996 — Jury awards $2.3 million to nearby Bass River Tennis Club for contamination that migrated from Varian
1999 — Varian Associates splits into three companies; Varian Medical Systems, based in California, remains responsible for cleanup
2000 — Mayor Bill Scanlon accuses Varian of providing “misinformation,” raises concerns about indoor air quality in nearby homes
2001 — 36 homes tested for indoor air quality; three showed chemical levels above standards; Varian says household products are the likely source
2003 — State cites Varian for noncompliance, saying it is not doing enough to find all sources of contamination
November 2020 — Salem News story reveals chemical levels at the site remain high; neighbors form Voices of Concern North Beverly; public officials call for more oversight
December 2020 to March 2021 — Varian conducts testing of homes, businesses and streams; says there is “no significant risk”
November 2021 — State requires Varian to come up with “immediate response” plan for one home after tests of indoor air show levels of trichloroethylene, a chemical that can cause cancer
January 2022 — Shore Country Day School hires consultant over concerns about contamination from Varian on its property
February 2022 — State says Varian’s cleanup plan violates state regulations and is not working; orders company to come up with new plan, solve problem within two years, or face fines
Staff Writer Paul Leighton can be reached at 978-338-2535, by email at [email protected], or on Twitter at @heardinbeverly.
Staff Writer Paul Leighton can be reached at 978-338-2535, by email at [email protected], or on Twitter at @heardinbeverly.
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