The next meeting of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding the Liberty Industrial Finishing Superfund Site in Farmingdale has been scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 9 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Farmingdale Public Library on Merritts Road in Farmingdale. The meeting, a public availability session, was originally scheduled to take place in mid-September but was postponed due to the Sept. 11 attacks.

In addition, the Public Comment Period has been extended until Jan. 25. The comment period is an opportunity for residents to voice their opinions regarding the EPA's proposed plan to cleanup the site, addressing the contamination of site soils, groundwater and the Massapequa Creek. The last public meeting held about the Liberty Site took place on Aug. 9, where the EPA initially agreed to extend the comment period until late September. Since their last meeting was cancelled and postponed until January, the comment time has been extended again.

All residents are urged to attend the Jan. 9 meeting, particularly by the Concerned Citizens Association of Farmingdale, who have been looking to fight for the best level of cleanup possible since discussions began. Any residents who would like to review any documents related to the Liberty Site may visit the Farmingdale Public Library. In addition, residents may visit the EPA's regional office, by appointment only, at 290 Broadway, 18th Floor in Manhattan. Please call 212-637-4308 to schedule an appointment.

Written comments regarding the proposed plan may be sent through Jan. 25 to Project Manager Lorenzo Thantu, US EPA, Emergency and Remedial Response Division, 290 Broadway, 20th Floor, New York NY 10007.

Anybody seeking additional information regarding the Liberty Site may contact Cecilia Echols, EPA community involvement coordinator, at 1-800-346-5009 or at 212-637-3678. Echols may also be reached by email at echols.cecilia@epa.gov.