STONINGTON The town is seeking proposals from a prequalified list of state bidders for an environmental assessment and remediation assessment on the site of the former Stillmanville Mill.
After a January letter to a prequalified list of bidders was made available under the state’s Licensed Environmental Professional Program, the town is now looking for applications. Bidders can submit their proposals until February 17, and officials last week said that they plan to review them immediately after the deadline, and to sign a contract as quickly and efficiently as possible.
First Selectman Danielle Chesebrough claimed that it had been several years in making, but that the town seems ready to finally push for the project.
It was exactly two years ago that Keith Brynes, Town Planner of Hartford, and myself went upto Hartford to meet with the Mayor. [state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection]Chesebrough indicated that they are open to discussing potential revitalization options. It has taken us a lot team effort to get this far, but it is a major milestone. We look forward to this crucial next step in realizing the potential for this important property in the community.
Stonington has spent years trying to solve the problems at the mill. Pawcatuck Landing LLC purchased the long-standing mill at 75 Stillman Ave. in Pawcatuck in 2003. However, the company was unable move forward with plans for redevelopment of the property. The mill remained unoccupied and unused.
The factory was built in 1838. It was originally used as a water-powered woolen machine. Later, it was converted to a metal castings factory. It closed in the late 1990s.
Six months after the structure had collapsed in an April 2019 storm in Connecticut, the town completed demolition of the property in September 2019. Officials were forced to authorize an emergency demolition at $125,000 to stop lead, asbestos, and PCBs polluting Pawcatuck River. The Board of Finance approved $600,000 in town funds for the final removal of materials.
The town applied for permission to access the site to conduct analysis or remediation. Pawcatuck Landing LLC refused access requests, which stalled the project. Chesebrough stated Thursday that the town could not obtain funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency if it did not have permission from the property owner. However, the brownfield grant rules of the state allowed the town to apply for aid if there was a tax lien.
Chesebrough said that the town took the opportunity and Stonington received a $139,000 state grant last summer for assessment in order to allow the future redevelopment at the former Stillmanville Mill.
Susan Cullen, director for economic and community development in Stonington, stated that this grant opportunity will be an important tool in providing information about this underutilized, contaminated property. This assessment will provide information to both the current property owner and potential buyers about the cost of revitalizing the property. This is vital to understand the future potential for redevelopment.
Chesebrough stated that bidding will close and that the committee will be able review and interview all proposals. The goal is to have work start by late March in order to begin assessment collection. Assessment work is expected to start this spring at the latest.
As soon as possible, we would like to see the assessments begin. Chesebrough said that they are eager for a solution and are willing to work with you to find a long-term, viable solution for this property.
