November 29, 2023 |
Photo – Old Saratoga Water Treatment building – Bigfoot99 file photo
Saratoga officials have questions about potential hazards in the town’s old police station and water treatment plant and whether the Planning Commission is inviting trouble for the town—and big money headaches.
In August, Planning Commission Chairwoman McCall Burau told the Saratoga town council that the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality was offering grants to investigate properties suspected of containing toxic materials, such as asbestos or lead. Burau said a Brownfields Assistance Grant can be used to determine if the town’s old police station and retired water treatment plant, on South River Street, require remediation.
Speaking at the November 21st Saratoga town council meeting, Burau said the Brownfields Assistance team can perform research and test the town’s properties for hazardous materials.
Burau said if the old police station or water treatment plant contains toxins, the Brownfields Assistance grant will pay to clean the properties.
If no hazards are detected, Burau said the Brownfields team will work with the town and residents to redevelop the sites.
Burau said Wyoming DEQ is offering federal money, in the form of the Brownfields Assistance Grant, to determine if a property qualifies for the Brownfields program. The planning commission chairwoman said the town will not be required to pay anything. Public Works Director Emery Penner said additional grants are available to remove any hazards discovered during the assessment process.
Councilman Jerry Fluty asked Burau why she thought the old police station and water treatment plant contained toxic materials. Burau said a property doesn’t have to be dangerous to qualify for Brownfields funding. She said the money can also be used to refresh vacant structures.
Burau asked the town council for permission to contact DEQ about obtaining a Brownfields Assistance grant. Burau said with council approval, she will submit the proper paperwork to DEQ to begin the process.
Burau said DEQ isn’t likely to issue a decision until spring, at the earliest. Burau said if toxic material is located at the old police station or water treatment plant, the town will not be legally bound to take any action.
Mayor Chuck Davis asked if the town could be legally compelled to clean up the properties if hazards are detected. Public Works Director Penner said if something extremely dangerous is discovered the town may be required to remediate the site. However, Penner said neither property is likely to contain such materials.
Councilman Fluty said he wants to be sure the town won’t be liable if toxic material is discovered in the old police station or water treatment plant. Fluty said the funding for remediation must be promised before the Brownfields assessment is performed.
The council said they needed more information before voting to move forward with the Brownfields assessment. Burau said she will contact Wyoming DEQ with the council’s concerns.
