After debating the merits of allotting the full $5 million to take down the fire-damaged Stevens Street mill, the Haverhill City Council voted 9-2 Tuesday night to approve the total.
The Council gave Mayor Melinda E. Barrett authority to spend up to $5 million previously approved at an emergency session Friday, May 8. Noting the mayor accepted a $3.98 million bid from Everett-based NorthStar Contracting Group Friday, several councilors said they are not happy that taxpayers could be left with shouldering the cost to remove the building. Ward 5 Councilor Shaun P. Toohey said he is concerned that even though the bid is under $5 million, cost overruns would magically end up eating up the entire amount if approved.
“If in fact it goes over the contractor or applicant has to come back anyway. I feel more comfortable reducing the five million down.” Toohey said.
Vice President John A. Michitson agreed, making a motion to reduce the amount to $4.5 million. Barrett pointed out, however, in addition to the cost of a required asbestos removal monitor for $250,000 and an around-the-clock guard for $50,000, there are several unknowns including testing and removal of the contents of several barrels left in the building. She said she fears if the project isn’t fully funded, crews would stand idle awaiting any future Council vote for more money if funds run out.
Barrett was back before councilors to declare the mill a hazard requiring emergency action. She also required a vote on the loan order that would allow her to borrow $5 million. Barrett said she asked the state for financial assistance and is putting a lien on the property for the demolition cost. The city already has another lien against the owners for $2.5 million in back taxes.
Michitson’s motion failed by one vote. Voting with the mayor were President Timothy J. Jordan, at-large councilor Colin F. LePage, at-large councilor Thomas J. Sullivan, Ward 1 Councilor Ralph T. Basiliere, Ward 3 Councilor Devan M. Ferreira and Ward 6 Councilor Michael S. McGonagle. Voting with Toohey and Michitson were Ward 2 Councilor Daniel R. Diodati, Ward 4 councilor Melissa Lewandowski and Ward 7 Councilor Catherine P. Rogers.
Firefighters were called to the vacant mill in the early hours of Tuesday, April 28, and discovered an inferno. Temperatures were estimated to have reached 1,200 to 1,800 degrees, enough to destabilize the building’s major structural steel girders and walls. The department used more than three million gallons of water and trucks required more than 820 gallons of diesel fuel to get the fire under control. Three teens were charged with setting the building on fire.