TO: SPAFFORD TOWN COUNCILMEN
SPAFFORD TOWN SUPERVISOR
FROM: Peter Pirnie, Ph.D.
December 31, 2001
1. The TOWN BOARD is to be congratulated for its decision (at the December Board Meeting) to employ an Environmental Engineer to sample, test and evaluate any contamination present on the properties involved in the COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GRANT. Both properties (IGA and
MARCHETERRE) must be examined at the same time. Failure to perform a full investigation simultaneously is not beneficial to the Community and is viewed as an attempt to upgrade the resale potential of the
Marcheterre property - at the expense of the IGA and Taxpayers.
2. Engineering firms perform environmental surveys ON A 12 MONTH BASIS. (There is no need to waste time awaiting the end of winter). The larger firms not only perform the on-site sampling and lab analyses, but they also arrange for necessary
remediation/ abatement services.
The steps to be taken for setting up an environmental testing and abatement program are the following:
a. Set bidding or proposal specifications. Specifications should include sampling and analyses for asbestos, petroleum, pesticides, and sewage contamination on both properties. All bidders shall have all licenses necessary for the types of inspections and abatements specified. It is also desirable to have bidders identify the disposal areas to be used and have them obtain the permits necessary.
c. Contractor performs the necessary sampling and analyses; develops a report of findings and recommends an abatement program; estimates its cost; and performs the abatement project.
a. American Group: 11 East Genesee Street, Skaneateles, 685-5744
b. C & S Engineering: 1099 Airport Blvd., North Syracuse, 455-2000
c. Clough Harbour & Associates: South Salina Street, Syracuse, 471-3920*
d. CT. Male Associates: 200 Gateway Park, North Syracuse, 458-6498
e. Quantitative Environmental Analyses: 290 Elwood Davis Road, Liverpool, 451-4966 or 9009
f. Stearns and Wheeler: 1 Remington Park Road, Cazenovia, 655-8161 *
* These firms perform sampling, analysis and abatement services for all of the various contamination that may exist on these properties.
January 1, 2002
1. Residents in attendance at the December 2001 meeting have questions regarding the discussions that took place.
a. Chief Miller pointed out that there is an extreme fire hazard is posed by the IGA building. When was this lire hazard first identified? Now that a $90,000 Community Development Grant is available, this "dangerous situation" suddenly comes to the fore.
b. If the situation is as hazardous as the Fire Chief and Supervisor Ireland claim, then there is an immediate need for action. The delay until March 2002 jeopardizes the safety of the Community unnecessarily.
2. The removal of the IGA first, will reveal a view from three directions of the abominable conditions on the Marcheterre site. This is unacceptable. If the $90,000 Grant does not cover the purchase, remediation, and demolition of both properties (as proposed in the Grant application), the Marcheterre cleanup should be done by the TOWN and charged to his tax bill.
If Marcheterre cannot or will not pay for the cleanup, then the property must be condemned and taken by the TOWN. Ample notice was given to clean up the property: remediation has not been accomplished.
The Residents want the FOUR CORNERS cleaned up. That means both properties. The IGA poses an extreme fire hazard. This serious issue must be addressed immediately and not three months from now. The Mini-Mart and Liquor Store also pose hazards for fire and pollution. Chief Miller complained about the Marcheterre site about ten months ago.
Those buildings must also be demolished and the property cleaned up now.
At the November 2001 meeting, SUPERVISOR Ireland said that he bad made an offer (on behalf of the TOWN) to purchase the Marcheterre property. The offer was rejected. If the Marcheterre property was to be the first one bought at that time, why is it still not the number one priority? Why have the priorities changed?
At the upcoming January 2002 Meeting, a situation report by the TOWN BOARD must be on the Agenda and a presentation made to include:
a. Time lines for employment of an Environmental Engineer; development and publicizing of the Engineer's Report; start of remedial action(s).
B. Estimated date of completion for removal of the "EXTREME FIRE HAZARD" posed by the IGA.
c. Estimated date for completion of the structural demolitions on the Marcheterre property and all necessary cleanups.
d. Providing an answer to the question WHY (all of a sudden) there is a change in the project from demolition of the structures on both the IGA and MARCHETERRE properties, to the dismantling of only the IGA property?
Status reports on the progress of the COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GRANT activities should be made monthly starting in February 2002.
The TOWN must act to meet its legal responsibilities to provide a SAFE AND CLEAN ENVIRONMENT-for the public.