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By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM --- Putnam's Renaissance took another leap with two grants officially landing in the hands of business owners eager to get going.
Historic Cargill Falls Mill LLC received $500,000. The owners of the former Hale Manufacturing Mill at Cargill Falls received the Brownfield Municipal Pilot Program funding which will be used to continue progress on an ambitious multi-use plan for the complex. Delpha Very, Putnam's Economic and Community Development director, said the state Department of Economic and Community Development funding came through the town to the complex owners. She added that a $40,000 grant from the state's Trust for Historic Preservation has already been used for a study of the buildings at the complex. That study recommends that some of the structures be demolished. They are smaller buildings with no historic value, she said, including structures such as small dye houses or "connecting structures."
The next step, she said, is to seek proposals from environmental consulting firms for lead and asbestos abatement. That document should be out within the next four weeks, she said, and bidders would have about a month to reply. The winning firm would come in and test for lead and asbestos. In addition, Very said, the complex's owners anticipate receiving this week their Federal Energy Regulatory Commission paperwork for the long-planned hydropower business at the complex.
The Cargill mill complex is part of the town's Industrial Heritage Overlay District. That designation allows for the multi-use plans for the buildings including retail, commercial and residential. Very called the designation and the complex's location a "gateway into Putnam."
Karen Osbrey, president of the Putnam Business Association, said, "It’s very exciting and encouraging to see these projects finally progressing. Putnam has seen a transformation in recent years and there seems to be a growing vitality to the town, but this is not the time to rest on our laurels. It is imperative that our municipal, business and community leaders continue to work together to keep Putnam thriving. We can always do better. "
In addition a $400,000 grant for the owners of 88 Main, in the center of downtown Putnam, also transferred to the building's owner, Dexter Properties LLC. Bruce W Dexter II has said he would like to put a restaurant, a lounge, and two upper floors for a boutique hotel in the building. Residents should see scaffolding up for facade work by mid-fall.