from an article in Gardner News, April, 2008

Economic Development in Templeton??

TEMPLETON -- Industrial, recreational or municipal uses may be feasible development options at the abandoned Temple Stuart site in Baldwinville, planning consultants said Thursday, although additional research -- and a community commitment to explore revitalizing the approximately 22-acre property -- will be needed if progress is to be made. “This is the beginning, another beginning, of a long process,” said Glenn Eaton, executive director of the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission, after presenting a reuse feasibility study to residents and officials gathered at Narragansett Regional High School. “You can come together on an issue. And you have a history of doing that in town.” The feasibility study -- which the planning commission prepared along with consultant William Scanlan through a state technical assistance grant -- outlines many of the issues surrounding the site, presents several potential reuse options and suggests a course of action if the town hopes bring about new development at the property. Heading the list of recommendations is the establishment of a committee, consisting of town officials, residents of the Temple Stuart neighborhood and others “to advocate for redevelopment and facilitate dialogue among all stakeholders.” Mr. Scanlan said the committee could take the form of an economic development commission or a more informal group appointed by the Board of Selectmen. The town, the report suggests, must also set long-term goals for the location, decide whether acquiring the property would be the best course and enlist legal assistance to determine the ownership status and liability issues involved. Options such as the state’s “43D” program -- which allows communities to target specific sites for economic development and makes grant funding available to assist in those efforts -- could be utilized, the report states. “We don’t have a goal with this report other than to say, ‘get moving,’” said Mr. Scanlan, who along with Mr. Eaton stressed that the study was meant only to outline potential courses of action. “All options are on the table, and that’s a big part of the intent,” said Mr. Eaton. The study lists a number of potential uses for the site. If the town chose to acquire the location, for example, it could be used as a park or for municipal buildings. On the economic side, the location could become home to a business park, industrial facility, distribution facility or business incubator. The central location, size, commercial zoning and railroad access of the site are among its strengths, said Mr. Scanlan, while its uncertain ownership status, contamination issues and distance from major highways are its most significant weaknesses. The Temple Stuart site was for decades home to a furniture manufacturing, and is believed to remain under the ownership of American Tissue Mills of Massachusetts. The industrial history of the location resulted in widespread contamination, and it remains a “brownfield” site even after several years of Environmental Protection Agency cleanup work at the site and in the surrounding neighborhood. Those in attendance agreed that determining the ownership status and potential liability issues involved in acquiring the site should be the town’s foremost priority, although some expressed disappointment those issues were not covered more in depth as part of the feasibility study. “You should have had a little bit better handle on that,” said Selectman John Henshaw, although Mr. Eaton and Mr. Scanlan noted they worked within a limited scope with limited funding and were not equipped to address more complex legal issues. Mr. Eaton did say he would be willing to do additional research for the town in that regard. Neighborhood resident Linda McClure said determining ownership must be the first step taken, given that any possibility of future development hinges largely on whether the owner of the site is willing to cooperate. “Let’s not put the cart before the horse,” she said, suggesting that the location could once again house an industrial operation similar to the former furniture factory. Planning Board member Peter Haley said developers he has spoken with through his work in the real estate industry have noted that the site’s accessibility to railroads is a major attraction, although the potential liability surrounding the remaining contamination at the location is a serious concern. Mr. Scanlan and Mr. Eaton agreed, but said brownfield sites in other communities in the state and throughout the country have become soccer fields and even schools. Residential would not be recommended at Temple Stuart, the report states, given the remaining contamination issues. Some in attendance questioned whether progress will be made on the issue. Planning board member Dennis Rich said it “seems like there’s a number of major hurdles” in the path of any redevelopment at the site, and said he fears the issues may be put on the back burner given the number of other ongoing projects in town. Resident Sharon Manty described the project as “a kind of scary undertaking,” and Selectman Julie Farrell said many residents are frustrated with the past complications at the location and fear redevelopment could result in those troubles being repeated. Mr. Eaton in response noted that the town has in the past rallied around causes and taken positive action. He used the example of the Open Space Committee, which did not exist five years ago but that has since taken effective steps to preserve the town’s natural landscape and heritage.