Browns Mill property cleanup could be in the community’s future

By Stuart Hedstrom
Staff Writer

DOVER-FOXCROFT — A project to clean up a portion of the Browns Mill land along the Piscataquis River could be undertaken in the next few years.

During a Sept. 12 selectmen’s meeting, Town Manager Jack Clukey said a clean-up project of the site was discussed on an informational basis by the planning board earlier in the month. The planning board is set to have an agenda item on subdividing a parcel for the purpose of clean-up activity on the Oct. 6 agenda.

“The first step they need to take is really the first step we took at Moosehead,” Clukey said. He said the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council (PCEDC) has been approached about the application process for grants to clean up Browns Mill, which is owned by Charles Fitzgerald.

“Part of that process is probably going to involve (the Pine Crest Business Park) taking ownership,” Clukey said, as having this group own the property would make the site eligible for a number of funding opportunities. During the cleanup of the former Mooseheaed Manufacturing facility, Pine Crest assumed ownership for a duration of the process.

“The main mill is not being conveyed to Pine Crest,” Clukey said, as the building has already been taken care and cleanup would be on other parts of the property. He explained a subdivision would be needed for this work, which is what the planning board is scheduled to look at next month.

“Technically it’s worth more when it’s cleaned up,” Select Chair Elwood Edgerly said. When asked, he said the property would be tax-exempt under the ownership of the Pine Crest Business Park, and this could be for up to three years.

Clukey said steps for another project across town have started. “We are seeking to get a permit for the repair to be made at Branns Mill,” he said.

The town manager said the goal is to finish the repair this fall, but if not the affected area would be addressed with clay fill to mitigate further erosion until the spring.

In other business, Selectman Steve Grammont talked about this year’s paving work. “I’m hoping people feel a sense of accomplishment as I do,” Grammont said. “I wanted to point that out as a citizen and selectman.”

Clukey concurred, saying in addition to the roads on the 2016 schedule lower than forecast hot top prices enabled for additional paving to be carried out on the Anderson Road and portions of Park and Essex streets. “If it stays similar next year to this year we should be able to do a similar thing, more roads and better treatment options.”

“It’s nice to see that amount of work being done in a season and it’s nice to think we will have an annual plan to take care of the roads,” Clukey said.