By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
WASHBURN — Patricia “Pattie” Aho, acting commissioner of Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection, was in Aroostook County recently, visiting several businesses and getting a firsthand look at two cleanup projects — one in Wallagrass involving a gasoline spill earlier this year and another in Washburn at the former McCain Foods processing plant.
Serving as host for Aho’s visit was DEP’s Northern Maine Regional Director Nick Archer.
Cleanup began at the Washburn site in early August, with funds provided through a brownfield grant.
“The town of Washburn, working with the Maine DEP, Northern Maine Development Commission and the United States Environmental Protection Agency has recently begun a brownfield revitalization project at the former McCain’s freezer plant located on the Gardner Creek Road,” explained Samantha Depoy-Warren, spokesperson for the DEP, who made the trip to Aroostook County with Aho.
The site once consisted of an 86,630 square-foot potato processing and cold storage facility that included 11,190 square feet of freezer space. In November 2009, the building was destroyed by a suspicious fire. At the time of the fire, there was no electrical power to the building, which had been vacant for years. All that remained was a three-story steel framework — nicknamed the “rollercoaster” by locals due to the twisted shape of the bare steel framework that remained after the blaze — and fire debris and rubble under and surrounding the structure.
“Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments completed by Summit Environmental consultants contracted by Maine DEP revealed that asbestos-containing material (ACM) was located in the potato production facility, potato waste screening building, starch plant, sprinkler building, scale house and well house. The roof of the starch plant had partially collapsed, representing not only a safety risk but a potential exposure pathway of ACM and PCBs, both identified in the building,” noted Depoy-Warren.
In May 2011, Washburn was awarded a $200,000 brownfield cleanup subgrant by NMDC to be used to reduce threats to human health and the environment, primarily by removing asbestos and other hazardous materials present at the site. Washburn officials hired CES (an engineering company) earlier this year to be the environmental consultant for the cleanup project, which began in late July.
Aho said Archer’s office was a “model for being customer-oriented.”
“His office provides a balance between economic development and DEP standards,” said Aho.
Meeting environmental standards set by the state office has been made easier over the years through brownfield grants that assist communities and businesses in performing clean-up projects that might prove to be too costly to perform otherwise.
“The brownfield staff keep telling us to find more projects. They’re keeping us busy. In New England, the only state that got more (money) than us is Connecticut. It’s based on folks like yourself (referring to Washburn town officials who joined her on site) identifying” projects within your communities, said Aho, noting her staff was willing to help with the grant process. “We live up to the state motto, Dirigo — we want to lead,” she added.
Town officials were on hand as well, with Town Manager Bev Turner and Town Council Chair Mike Umphrey giving Aho an overview of the work that once took place at the plant and explaining a bit about Washburn’s history and hopes for the town’s future.
“We’re extremely happy (with cleanup). This is something we could never have done without the DEP’s help,” said Umphrey.
“It’s all about making it work and working with people,” said Archer.
Turner said clean-up costs were kept down through a deal with McGillan’s, the contractor hired for the demolition project.
“Instead of the town having to come up with more money to pay the contractor, we’ve reached a deal whereby McGillan’s will keep the scrap iron,” said Turner.
Umphrey said now that cleanup is under way, it’s on to the next step.
“Now it’s a matter of working as a team and setting our next goal,” Umphrey said, indicating one goal might be turning the Mill Pond into a brook trout pond.
Aho said brownfield projects play a vital role in a community’s economic development.
“Environmental improvements can lead to jobs. Take for example the former Cianbro site in Brewer — they added 500-600 jobs following work there,” said Aho. “In Portland, a former hand grenade facility transitioned to an elementary school and is now used for low-income housing.”
The commissioner noted that “brownfield projects show what’s good for the environment is good for the economy.”
“Take for example in Presque Isle. Officials took a blighted site and, through a brownfield grant, are making it fit for a community center,” said Aho.
Aho said she made the trip to Aroostook Aug. 10 to make more people aware that brownfield grants can be a great tool in improving communities.
“The reason I came here was to encourage more to apply. It’s a doable process. It’s the same overall story wherever brownfields are involved — economic development, environmental cleanup and making better communities,” Aho said.
Washburn officials believe that redevelopment of the site will lead to countless short- and long-term positive benefits for neighbors and downtown businesses.
“Redeveloping the property into a fully operational industrial site will further civic pride and will create jobs and revenues for the community. The town continues to plan for the redevelopment of the site with a DECD-CDBG planning grant ($10,000, with $2,500 matching from Washburn). Through this process, it is envisioned that the site will once again host a viable and prosperous business,” said Depoy-Warren.
Turner indicated town officials have begun looking into ways to use the property, once cleanup is completed.
“Removing the dam behind the plant this summer provides added value to the brook and increases recreational opportunities. Our Reuse Committee is currently studying possible uses for the site,” said Turner. “With the ATV/snowmobile trail and the stream so close, it makes the property very marketable.”
