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Task force report recommends town pursue title/liability talks; committee urged to serve as technical backstop
Summary
The 2229 Main Street task force finished its report and recommended that the Town begin legal negotiations with EPA on liability and title issues; the site committee was urged to review the task force report and act as a technical adviser during any public hearing and subsequent Select Board consideration.
The 2229 Main Street Task Force has completed its report and recommended that the Town of Concord pursue legal discussions with EPA to resolve title and liability issues tied to potential town acquisition and reuse.
Task force members told the 2229 Main Street Site Committee that the report is posted on the town website and that the Select Board has received it and plans a public hearing (anticipated in February). The task force said its recommendation includes asking town counsel to open negotiations with EPA on terms for liability protection and title clearance before the town proceeds with acquisition or reuse.
Task force members said the report differs from earlier reuse studies because the town paid for legal review and a separate risk assessment. The legal input addressed possible paths for title clearance and limits on town liability for existing remedy operations. The risk assessment used available Demaximus/Maximus data and concluded that, with the remedy in place, the site could meet residential standards in many areas; the task force described those findings as part of the report’s appendices.
Terry (task force), Ray and Pam encouraged committee members to read the report (technical material is concentrated in appendices) and to participate in the public hearing so they can answer technical questions from residents and the Select Board. The task force said the Select Board is “looking favorably” on proceeding with town counsel initiating negotiations but has not yet formally acted.
Committee members discussed whether the townwide “matrix” or planning working group should include a representative from the 2229 committee; the committee asked staff to pass that suggestion to the Select Board. Task force members said their role is complete for the moment and that future work will move to the Select Board and any new working groups appointed by the Select Board.
The committee asked staff to post the report on the committee web page and to publicize the upcoming Select Board hearing so that technical committee members can be available to answer questions.
