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Former Putnam Foundry building shortly after arsonists struck in 2007. Putnam Town Crier file photo.
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM --- Shortly, as soon as the agreement from the state arrives, the town will be putting out for bid the demolition and property remediation contract for the former Putnam Foundry property.
The town received $508,421 in state grants for the remediation and demolition of the arson-scarred former Putnam Foundry property off Rt. 12. Building #2 on the property was hit by arsonists in August 2007 and subsequently hit again by arson the following year.
Town Administrator Douglas M. Cutler said the agreement with the state must be in hand before the town can spend the grant money. At least eight of the buildings on the 9-acre property would have to be taken down, in all likelihood.
Engineers who have surveyed the property said that a few of the buildings on the property are partially collapsed and would have to be demolished. In addition, environmental surveys show that remediation will also have to be done. Substances on the property include PCBs, PFCs, lead, asbestos, mercury, fluorescent lamps, neon gas and more.
The former foundry manufactured metal parts.
Property owner Peter Pallo had told town officials that he cannot afford to pay for the demolition and remediation work, so the town, two years ago, applied for a state grant to do the work.
Discussions with the town attorney, William St.Onge continue as to how that cost will be covered. One possibility is that the town take the property as payment for covering the work. "We are working out the legal necessities with St. Onge," Cutler said.
Cutler said if the town takes the property, which is zoned industrial, it would market it as a kind of "second industrial park" on the other side of Putnam. He added that there is a railroad siding there, which could easily be replaced. The Providence & Worcester railroad has already told the town it would be glad to help with that project.
In addition, Cutler said, the town may also try to acquire the former Metal Mast property, which is also 9 acres, off Providence Street. Although not adjacent, the two properties are separated only by a brook. Metal Mast has frontage on the river and there is also a railroad siding there.
Cutler said the town would proceed with the demolition and remediation within 30 days of bid opening.