Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Acquisition topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Goshen board clears phase‑1 environmental study for Lakeville property amid calls for updated appraisal and insurance review
Summary
The board authorized a Colliers proposal for a Phase‑1 environmental site assessment for a Lakeville property being evaluated for a possible new town hall and police department; commenters urged an independent appraisal and an insurance review for CERCLA liability language in the proposal.
The Town of Goshen authorized a proposal from Colliers for a Phase‑1 environmental site assessment (ESA) of the Lakeville property the town is evaluating as a possible site for a new town hall and police department.
Board discussion and public comment focused on scope, cost and potential liability. The packet listed a fixed fee for the Phase‑1 ESA; during discussion several speakers misread the figure aloud (the transcript records the fee being read as "40 2 50" and later as "$42.50"). A town official read the proposal as a set price in the materials and the board approved moving forward; however, members of the public urged a town‑commissioned appraisal and consultation with the town’s insurance broker before advancing the project.
Resident and commenter Chris (identified in the record as having familiarity with the property) told the board there are tanks on the parcel and wetlands that could present environmental and cost risks; he said an independent appraisal and better understanding of subsurface conditions would be prudent. Another speaker raised questions about boilerplate language in the Colliers proposal referencing CERCLA liability protections ("innocent landowner, contiguous property owner, or a bona fide prospective purchaser"). A Colliers representative on the call said the contract language is standard but advised the town to check with its insurance broker on what that wording would mean for municipal exposure.
Nut graf: The town approved a Phase‑1 ESA to inform feasibility but public speakers and some board members said additional due diligence is needed — specifically an independent appraisal and insurance/legal review of CERCLA‑related language and any potential subsurface contamination.
The motion to authorize the supervisor to sign the Colliers proposal was moved and seconded and carried on a roll call with board members recorded as voting aye.
Ending: Staff said they would schedule follow‑up meetings with planning and the Environmental Review Board (ERB) to complete the SEQRA/FEAF review and would ensure the town’s insurance broker and legal counsel review liability language before further commitments.
