Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Brownfields Cleanup topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council reviews Cascade Mill cleanup options after Phase I; staff to seek legal advice before accepting deed
Summary
Following a Phase I environmental assessment, the manager described asbestos and other contamination at the Cascade Mill site and said an adjacent owner may sign over a parcel; councilors asked staff to obtain a legal opinion so the town can pursue an EPA brownfields cleanup grant estimated at $2 million.
The town manager updated the council on the Cascade Mill property and environmental work: a Phase I environmental study has been completed and the town would not be held immediately liable for environmental remediation if it receives clear title, allowing the municipality to pursue federal brownfields funding.
The manager said there is evidence of asbestos (insulation and fire-door materials) and other contamination in the buildings and that the site will likely require substantial cleanup. He said the owner (identified in the transcript as Michael Dye) indicated he would sign over the right-side parcel to the town rather than pursue foreclosure, and a local business owner (John Templin) has expressed interest in redeveloping part of the property once cleared.
Councilors discussed the need for a full legal review before accepting any deed and noted the estimated cleanup funding the manager mentioned (about $2 million) would be required to make the site redevelopable. The council asked staff to obtain a legal opinion and to prepare grant-application materials to pursue the EPA brownfields funding opportunity.
