Oxford Village is considering purchasing the property currently leased by Spearing Tool and Manufacturing Company at 98 Glaspie St.
Council voted unanimously May 13 to authorize attorney Bob Bunting to ‘take action as needed to make a recommendation … regarding the opportunity to acquire? the 1?-acre parcel, surrounded by Scripter Park, the ball fields and the village DPW complex.
‘I think there’s something worth investigating here,? Manager Mark Slown told council.
A May 9 letter from Terrance D. Groh, of the Clarkston-based Harding Leasing and Equipment which owns the property, to Slown stated, ‘My partners and I are contemplating selling the buildings and property at 98 Glaspie. Last year, you told me that if we ever thought about selling that property to contact you because the village was interested.?
Groh noted that ‘there is another party also interested in purchasing the property.?
The manager told this reporter that the property owner has not indicated a sale price nor has the village inquired about one. He said the village would want an independent appraisal.
Slown also told this reporter the village has ‘previously identified? purchasing this property as ‘desirable? because it would ‘allow for the expansion of Scripter Park? and ‘potential elimination? of the land’s current industrial use, which is ‘out of place? given its location.
The village’s Parks and Recreation Committee voted unanimously May 9 to recommend council investigate the possibility of purchasing the land.
‘I can’t encourage you guys enough to at least take this to the next step,? said Parks and Rec. Committee member Sue Bossardet.
However, Slown noted that one of the biggest issues council must consider regarding this property is potential contamination of the land and water, which is a concern because its located ‘less than 200 yards? from the village’s municipal well system.
Bossardet also told council she has some ‘very serious concerns about the property. . .for reasons of (public) health, safety and welfare.?
Councilman Dave Bailey, who previously toured the site, said he’s ‘curious about the materials used? at Spearing Tool and Manufacturing Company and expressed concern about possible negative impact on the groundwater.
Bailey said his ‘obvious concern? is materials that may have spilled on the ground and sunk into the soil. The councilman’s other concern is ‘stack emissions,? in which airborne materials ‘settle on top of? nearby bodies of water.
Bailey said if a site cleanup is required, there are four parties who could potentially do it ? the property owner, the lessee, the village or a private buyer.
‘Since the property is sitting right on top of or very close there to? the underground wells, the village will want to ‘keep a close eye on any cleanup? that takes place there. Bailey said he would prefer the village handle the cleanup to ensure the job is done properly and correctly. He pointed out that if another party pays for the cleanup, the village still has to pay a ‘watchdog? to monitor the job.
Council President Steve Allen warned council that it needs to be ‘careful about making assumptions? and having ‘open discussions about potential (environmental) problems.?
Despite his concerns, Bailey said there are a ‘number of uses? for the property and possibly purchasing it is ‘worth looking into even without a specific use in mind.?
‘We’ll think of something,? he said.
In light of the other interested potential buyer, Bailey encouraged looking into ‘this as quickly and thoroughly? as it possibly can.
Slown pointed out that a private buyer can move faster in this area than government because a municipality has a responsibility and duty to perform ‘due diligence? by conducting environmental studies and obtaining an appraisal to determine fair market value, both of which can cause the process to ‘take longer.? However, Slown also assured council, ‘We’re not going to let this slip away.?