Paul Clipper
The Dorchester Banner/Paul Clipper Zion United Methodist Church in Toddville suffered a spill from an oil tank leak, and is now facing $17,000 in remediation charges.
TODDVILLE — Late Feb. 27, a member went in to turn on the heat for Sunday service at the Zion United Methodist Church in Toddville, and he smelled a very strong odor of kerosene. When he checked the church’s tank it was empty, and the kerosene had run out of a rust hole in the tank and flowed onto the ground, and under the church. It has been estimated that a total of 400 gallons of dyed kerosene spilled in the yard. Spilled heating fuel requires a special cleanup to remove the contaminated soil and remediate the site. The Zion Church cleanup was difficult because the contaminated soil underneath the church had to be removed. The cost for the cleanup is around $17,000, and this cost was not covered by insurance. Being a small church, Zion United Methodist is in need of help to fund the cleanup. The church asks that anyone interested in helping with the cleanup expense to please send donations to Zion United Methodist Church, c/o Betsy Hughes, 2533 Toddville Road, Toddville MD 21672.