Rangeley holds public hearing on potential purchase of 50 Pleasant Street; environmental concerns raised

The Rangeley Select Board held a statutory public hearing Oct. 20 on a warrant article that would authorize the town to buy the property at 50 Pleasant Street (Map 36, Lot 27) and appropriate funds from the town’s unassigned fund balance for the purchase in a special town meeting scheduled for Nov. 4.

Town staff said the purchase-and-sale agreement includes a due-diligence period that runs through Nov. 30; if voters authorize the purchase on Nov. 4 the board would be empowered — but not required — to complete the acquisition and begin the town’s due diligence and title work. Joe (town staff) said the warrant lists the purchase price as $99,050 and that the appropriation would come from the town’s unassigned fund balance.

The hearing focused on environmental risks at the property and on steps the town would need to take before demolition or redevelopment. Scott Dixon, an engineer and geologist with Mainland Development Consultants, told the board that a prior Maine DEP spill-response entry recorded “no recoverable materials,” but that residual fuel oil could still be present in the basement soils and might affect future uses.

"The first step is a Phase 1 environmental site assessment — records research and interviews — and that can point to whether a Phase 2 (samplings and borings) is required," Dixon said. "You don't know until you dig and sample what the concentrations are and how deep contamination goes." He described the process that could lead to a documented cleanup plan and a DEP certification of completion once remediation, if any, is finished.

Board members and outside commenters urged caution and cost protections. Board member Chris recommended skipping Phase 1 and moving directly to targeted Phase 2 borings in and near the basement to quantify contamination. He suggested negotiating an escrow or purchase-price adjustment so environmental remediation funds would be reserved at closing if contamination is found. "I'd say put $30,000 aside in escrow," Chris said, "so you can do the Phase 2 and not let a $99,000 purchase turn into a $200,000 problem for the town." The escrow idea was discussed repeatedly as a way to protect taxpayer funds if excavation and disposal prove extensive.

Other clarifying details presented at the hearing: an asbestos survey (required before demolition) was estimated at about $1,500; town staff said they had not yet ordered that survey and preferred to confirm voter approval before spending money. Town staff also reported a DEP report dated Sept. 23 that logged a fuel-oil observation and that some oil reportedly reached a roadside ditch and the lake. The property has a dirt basement and a perimeter drain; presenters said oil observed in the basement previously could have migrated either along a drain line or into nearby soils.

Possible future uses discussed by the board and members of the public included a town parking lot, a pocket park and a buffer adjacent to an existing cleared parcel owned by the town. The needs assessment referenced by staff is ongoing and not yet complete. Town staff said public workshops and hearings would follow if the town acquires the site and moves toward a defined reuse.

The Select Board closed the public hearing after roughly an hour of discussion and public comment and reminded residents that the special town meeting (a polling event) is scheduled for Nov. 4; polls will be open 8 a.m.–8 p.m. with the moderator sworn at 7:45 a.m.

Why it matters: the lot abuts town property and has been identified as strategically useful, but the environmental unknowns could create substantial clean-up costs that would affect the town’s fiscal exposure. Voters will decide Nov. 4 whether to authorize the purchase; if the article passes the board would continue environmental due diligence and title work under the purchase-and-sale agreement.