Printed From Acorn-Online.com
On Fairmount Road
Oct 1, 2007
Town board looks to demolish unsafe site
After years of not addressing the situation, Lewisboro officials are drawing closer to resolving a long-standing public safety problem in Goldens Bridge.
Sealed bids for an asbestos abatement demolition of a group of dilapidated buildings located on a seven-acre site on Fairmount Road are due at the town clerk’s office on Tuesday, Oct. 2.
The bid notice was dated Sept. 12.
Town Board members determined several weeks ago that the buildings, long a neighborhood eyesore and source of complaints from area residents, contained asbestos. Officials decided to move ahead with demolishing the buildings, removing hazardous materials, and securing the site.
Because of the presence of the hazardous materials, contractors considering bidding on the work were asked to attend a mandatory pre-bid meeting held at the site on Wednesday, Sept. 19.
Work outlined in the bid notice includes “controlled demolition with asbestos in place” of three small cottages and two sheds and “non-asbestos demolition” of a detached garage, a portion of a burnt-down house, and a shed.
Before demolition begins, an aboveground oil tank must be removed and any underground oil storage tanks must be secured.
Previous Town Boards never acted on residents’ complaints and calls for remedies for the hazardous conditions on the Fairmount Road site. Residents said the old buildings attracted children and teens, exposing them to danger.
After discussing the situation at Town Board meetings and asking property owner Brian Stein to take the needed action, previous Town Boards had decided not to address the problem.
Mr. Stein has long contended that he could not afford to do the needed work on the property, leaving the matter in limbo until the Town Board hired a consultant to identify the asbestos on the site and award a contract for the demolition and abatement.
Next steps
The Ledger contacted Town Attorney Jessica Bacal on Monday to determine the next steps in the process.
“After the bids are opened and the bid amounts reviewed, the board must decide if it wants to embark on this project,” Ms. Bacal said. “The premises are in the kind of condition that requires the town to intervene in order to assure public safety.”
If the town elects to move ahead, it will do the needed work and then send the bill to Mr. Stein. Despite repeated requests to appear to discuss the matter, Mr. Stein has not appeared before the current Town Board or submitted an alternative plan.
The possible cost of the project has been discussed in the past, but the upcoming bids will provide the first firm figures.
© Copyright 2007 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers