Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Environmental Cleanup topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Herkimer IDA approves $51,250 for Phase II environmental investigation at Charlestown/Remington site
Summary
The board authorized approximately $51,250 for a Phase II environmental investigation at the Charlestown/Remington property after staff reported localized chlorinated‑solvent contamination. Staff said the state DEC and development partners will be engaged to pursue cleanup funding and avoid a protracted state cleanup process.
Herkimer County IDA members voted to authorize about $51,250 for a Phase II environmental investigation at the Charlestown/Remington property after staff reported chlorinated‑solvent contamination concentrated in two locations on the site.
John (IDA staff) said consultants identified chlorinated solvents pooled under areas used historically for painting and varnishing. "They tend to pool together. We found two spots," John said, and added that preliminary work suggests the contamination is currently captive on site and has not migrated off site.
Staff said the Phase II report will be submitted to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and that the agency will seek grant support to offset investigation costs, naming National Grid and the Adirondack Economic Development Council as potential partners. Staff also noted a $500,000 assessment grant awarded to the region that could be used to support additional investigation and cleanup work.
Board members moved to authorize the $51,250 expenditure for further investigation and testing. A motion to proceed was seconded and carried during the meeting.
Staff emphasized the objective of keeping the cleanup on an accelerated local path rather than relying solely on a state superfund process, which the presenters said could take many years. "We don't want them to put it in a DEC superfund because that'll take decades for them to clean it up," John said; staff added that continued investigation and engagement with DEC and funding partners will be used to advance remediation.
