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Sanford says permits in hand for new fire station; manager defends purchase of contaminated site
Summary
City Manager Steve Buck told council DEP signed off on environmental plans for the new fire station and that the city's purchase of the Courtney Cleaners site used a cost-effective cap-and-treat approach after Phase I/II testing. Construction mobilization is imminent, pending a SHPO historic sign-off on a secondary site.
Sanford officials told the City Council on July 7 that key environmental approvals are in place for the city's new fire station and that the administration deliberately chose to purchase and remediate a previously contaminated property rather than build a more expensive, constrained structure elsewhere.
City Manager Steve Buck said the Maine DEP has approved the project's environmental media management plan (EMMP) and the health and safety plan (HASP), and that TRC (the city's environmental consultant) has issued a memorandum to the project's architects. "The permits are now solidly in hand," Buck said, and Benchmark is mobilizing to begin visible construction work.
Buck addressed criticisms posted on social media about the city buying contaminated land (the "Courtney Cleaners" site). He said the city performed Phase I and Phase II environmental investigations, completed required follow-up testing, and chose a "cap-and-treat" approach that complies with EPA and state standards. "We bought the Courtney Cleaner site because it was less expensive to deal to purchase that site and deal with the environmental conditions than it was to build up in the air," Buck said. He added soils may be reused on-site if covered appropriately and not placed beneath living quarters.
Project notes: Benchmark is mobilizing and the final design plans are complete; one remaining constraint noted by staff is State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) review on the district station site, with a SHPO determination expected before the end of July. Once SHPO issues its determination the city will complete building assessments (asbestos, lead paint, caulk) and finalize the bid package for demolition and construction.
Why it matters: The city's approach reduces upfront capital cost and footprint but requires careful environmental controls and public transparency about remediation measures. Councilors raised questions about permit timing and oversight; Buck said the city intentionally followed state and federal procedures to protect public health and limit future liability.
Next steps: SHPO review expected before end of July; bid package to follow and construction activity to increase as Benchmark mobilizes.
