HOULTON, Maine — A report identifying the presence of asbestos in the Houlton International Building had the Shiretown Development Corporation board of directors expressing anger and disbelief. The economic development group had made a request to the town manager to have the building inspected for the harmful substance before they could decide on whether to sell the building or have it demolished.
Monday night’s news came as a shock.
“We sent out an environmental phase 1 study,” explained Town Manager Doug Hazlett. “We do know now that there is asbestos. The report is confirming that it is there.”
Doubts had been raised during the SDC’s Sept. 10 meeting as to whether asbestos was in the building. Apparently, prior to the sale of the building’s lease agreement, the SDC’s board of directors had been told that there was no asbestos present.
The board had come to the conclusion that the area that the Houlton International Building sits on could be worth more without the structure and that demolishing it would be the best course to go. Hazlett said now that they have confirmed the presence of asbestos, professional removers will have to be brought in to clean it up.
“We would need to go to an asbestos abatement firm to remove it,” said Hazlett.
How much the cleanup is going to cost became the next question. Every month that SDC retains ownership of the building means more funds being depleted from their account. An environmental cleanup would cost more than what the group can afford.
“It was said to me once that the purchase of this building would bankrupt SDC,” remarked Director Paul Cleary. “I think they were right. We may not have enough in our account to cover this.
“I would ask maybe by the next meeting what is this building worth,” he said. “Does this building have a value?”
Board Director Stan Ginish did not agree. He raised questions as to whether the board was doing everything in their power to find a buyer for the building. Ginish pointed out that an interested individual was present and wanted to air his interest to the board.
SDC Chair Paul Romanelli told Ginish and the individual present that there was a process involved for anyone interested in possibly purchasing the building. The first was to present a business plan to the town manager and then only if the town manager feels it’s an appropriate plan, then it would come before the group. Ginish disagreed with that approach and accused the board and the town manager of overlooking the interested parties.
“We have an empty building that is worthless,” said Ginish.
Romanelli said the first priority at this point was to collect all the information needed concerning the asbestos and to deal with that before any buyers were considered.
“Once we get all the facts, we can make an intelligent decision this time around,” explained Romanelli. “ The people of the town of Houlton expects us to do the right thing.”
Romanelli requested for Hazlett to bring more information before the board at their next meeting, which has been scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 9.
Monday night’s news came as a shock.
“We sent out an environmental phase 1 study,” explained Town Manager Doug Hazlett. “We do know now that there is asbestos. The report is confirming that it is there.”
Doubts had been raised during the SDC’s Sept. 10 meeting as to whether asbestos was in the building. Apparently, prior to the sale of the building’s lease agreement, the SDC’s board of directors had been told that there was no asbestos present.
The board had come to the conclusion that the area that the Houlton International Building sits on could be worth more without the structure and that demolishing it would be the best course to go. Hazlett said now that they have confirmed the presence of asbestos, professional removers will have to be brought in to clean it up.
“We would need to go to an asbestos abatement firm to remove it,” said Hazlett.
How much the cleanup is going to cost became the next question. Every month that SDC retains ownership of the building means more funds being depleted from their account. An environmental cleanup would cost more than what the group can afford.
“It was said to me once that the purchase of this building would bankrupt SDC,” remarked Director Paul Cleary. “I think they were right. We may not have enough in our account to cover this.
“I would ask maybe by the next meeting what is this building worth,” he said. “Does this building have a value?”
Board Director Stan Ginish did not agree. He raised questions as to whether the board was doing everything in their power to find a buyer for the building. Ginish pointed out that an interested individual was present and wanted to air his interest to the board.
SDC Chair Paul Romanelli told Ginish and the individual present that there was a process involved for anyone interested in possibly purchasing the building. The first was to present a business plan to the town manager and then only if the town manager feels it’s an appropriate plan, then it would come before the group. Ginish disagreed with that approach and accused the board and the town manager of overlooking the interested parties.
“We have an empty building that is worthless,” said Ginish.
Romanelli said the first priority at this point was to collect all the information needed concerning the asbestos and to deal with that before any buyers were considered.
“Once we get all the facts, we can make an intelligent decision this time around,” explained Romanelli. “ The people of the town of Houlton expects us to do the right thing.”
Romanelli requested for Hazlett to bring more information before the board at their next meeting, which has been scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 9.
