Mike, Kris and I met with DCAM Commissioner Cornelison about the Medfield State Hospital on 3/9. She wanted to share with us ahead of the meeting last Thursday their plans, but she also told us at that time that she is willing to sell the Medfield State Hospital to the Town of Medfield. I first needed to share what I learned with the Board of Selectmen at our 3/20 meeting, before writing about it here.
Clean up –
My notes were that –
- their cap and cover plan would cost $3.86 m., including the 30 years of monitoring.
- our requested removal of the materials up to pipeline would cost $7.36 m.
- our requested removal of the materials up to pipeline with on-site storage of the materials would cost $12.95 m.
- full removal would cost $16.99 m. (which includes an estimate of $3-5 m. to Spectra to move its pipeline).
Commissioner Cornelison raised the issue of DCAM’s willingness to consider reimbursing the town for our extraordinary costs for environmental experts, development consultants, and an on-site clerk of the works type person. That remains to get worked out.
Purchase by town was announced as a possibility –
- payments could be over time
- some payment only if and when town develops site
- state will seek recovery of its sunk costs in the price it charges
The Commissioner promised to share with us the documents that outline the terms they used with similar sales to other towns.
Feasibility study –
DCAM has already committed to doing the feasibility study, so it will continue. Mass Development could try to attract for profit uses. One existing college has expressed some interest, in addition to the start up college that has already expressed interest. A life science facility was mentioned as a possibility. We agreed to proceed on all fronts – the clean up track, the development track, and the town purchase track.
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