When Gardiner city officials acquired three of the four T.W. Dick Steel properties in 2014 and 2015, they did not, as it happens, get everything that’s in them.
That happened earlier this year, when the former owner failed to respond to notices sent to him, as required by state law, giving him an opportunity to clear out whatever was left when the business closed.
“They abandoned a lot of stuff,” City Manager Scott Morelli said.
The parcels, which border the Cobbosseecontee Stream, are part of the Cobbossee Corridor that extends from the New Mills Dam to the Kennebec River. Gardiner officials adopted a plan that set the stage for redevelopment of the city’s aging industrial section along the stream. City officials have secured funding from both federal and state sources to clean up contaminants found on the site, some of which date back to the early days of manufacturing in the area.
The parcel at 1 Summer St. is expected to be developed into a medical arts building. The parcel at 24 Summer St. could be the site of affordable senior housing.
Some of the material left behind, including historical papers and some office equipment, have been retained by the city.
Everything else that’s left will go up for auction on May 20, if the Gardiner City Council agrees at its Wednesday meeting.
That “everything else” includes shelving, office desks, bolts and other metal items, chains and a hoist.
“There’s an old refrigerator with a bottle of expired ranch dressing in it, but I don’t think anyone’s going to want that,” Morelli said. A couple of large plan printers remain, he said, but they have been sitting, unplugged, for a couple of years, and there’s no way to know if they are in working condition.
The historic signs on the sides of the building are probably worth the most historically and sentimentally, he said.
From 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the day of the auction, prospective bidders would be allowed to look around and make an offer on whatever interests them. If only one bidder is interested, that bid would win the item. If more than one is interested, an informal auction would be conducted and the high bidder would win the item and the right to haul it away.
In addition to the store, the cold storage and fabrication facilities will also be cleared.
When the Gardiner City Council meets at 6 p.m. in City Council chambers at 6 Church St., it will also continue its discussions on the city budget. The Gardiner Public Library, technology, general government, planning/economic development, and community and social service budgets will be reviewed. While this is not the budget debate, elected city officials will be able to ask questions during the presentation, and members of the public are welcome to ask questions at the end of each presentation.
The city council is expected to start debating the budget at its May 11 meeting.
On Wednesday, the council is also expected to consider:
• renewing the Kennebec River Rail Trail Interlocal agreement, following a presentation by the Friends of the Kennebec River Rail Trail;
• authorizing the city manager to dispose of fire equipment;
• renewing the liquor license for Smith Wiley Post 4 American Legion;
• renewing the lease agreement with Southern Kennebec Child Development Corporation for the Plummer Street school building;
• changing Gardiner’s Land Use Ordinance to allow a free-standing sign for the farmers market on the Common;
• approving new dates for the Waterfront Concerts;
• approving a special event permit for Kareno’s Rescue Ride;
• approving an agreement with Gardiner Main Street for economic development coordinator services.
Jessica Lowell — 621-5632
Twitter: @JLowellKJ
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