MONDAY, September 28, 2026|
Photo – Property owned by Danny McGuire – Bigfoot99 file photo
Saratoga officials voted to proceed with buying an industrial property on the east side of town and to push the closing date into next year.
Last December, Saratoga Public Works Director Emery Penner outlined a plan to move his department out of the deteriorating and outdated former water treatment plant and police station on South River Street. Penner recommended buying a 12‑lot parcel on the corner of North State and East Rochester Streets. The property is already zoned for light industrial, making it suitable for a new public works shop and material staging area. The site, owned by Danny McGuire, is the former location of Dan’s Trucking.
Following an appraisal in late February, the governing body voted to offer McGuire $800,000 for the property. However, knowing the location was a former trucking yard, the town chose to have the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality conduct a Phase I study to determine if the site is contaminated with hazardous materials, such as heavy metals and asbestos.
Wyoming DEQ completed its Phase I environmental study in early spring. The state agency found that the McGuire property warranted a more in‑depth review, or Phase II study, which includes on‑site sampling and laboratory analysis to confirm the presence of potential contaminants linked to the site’s past trucking activity.
On Thursday, September 24th, the Saratoga Town Council held a special meeting to discuss the McGuire property purchase. Public Works Director Emery Penner said he received DEQ’s Phase II environmental study, which showed no concerning levels of contamination.
Penner said DEQ also found Diesel Range Organics in the groundwater but did not recommend any special precautions for handling the hydrocarbon residue.
Penner continued, saying DEQ found asbestos and lead‑based paint inside the existing structures on the property. He said after receiving the state’s environmental analysis, the property owner, Danny McGuire, removed the hazards and demolished the buildings.
Penner said Wyoming DEQ’s report did not identify any reasons to cancel the sale. He added that McGuire has asked to delay closing until January for financial and logistical reasons. If the governing body was still comfortable proceeding, Penner suggested amending the contract to include an existing structure and allow the town to place equipment and material on the property before the purchase.
Penner said McGuire would like to postpone the closing date until January 2nd. He said the delay is unlikely to change his long‑term plan to construct a new public works facility on the property.
Following the discussion, the Saratoga Town Council voted to accept Wyoming DEQ’s Phase II study and move forward with the sale.
Mayor Chuck Davis asked both, property owner Danny McGuire and Public Works Director Emery Penner, whether delaying the purchase until January would cause any issues. After both men said no, Mayor Davis called for a vote to rework the existing contract to include the new closing date, permit the town to store material at the site, and retain the previously discussed outbuilding.
The motion was made, seconded, and passed. The town will continue with the purchase of Danny McGuire’s property at 306 North State Street.
