Staff Writer

Environmental testing on the former Main Street Mobil station site began this week in Kennebunk.

The testing is part of a purchase and sales agreement between the town and C.N. Brown, owners of the station.

During the March 25 selectmen’s meeting, the board discussed the possibility of converting the site to a park, public restrooms or reselling the parcel.

“I don’t think Kennebunk should become a real estate agency,” said resident Ed Karytko.

Residents also had a chance to discuss a change to the sales agreement that would allow the town to purchase the site before environmental cleanup begins.

Town Manager Barry Tibbetts earlier this month said the gas station would need to be owned by the town before the site could be cleaned. 

Tibbetts told selectmen he thought the town should pursue a hazardous mitigation grant from Southern Maine Regional Planning to clean up the site.

Tibbetts originally proposed the town seek grant money through a Department of Environmental Protection Brownfields grant, but now believes the town may have a better chance of receiving funds through the hazardous mitigation grant.

The hazardous mitigation grant requires municipal ownership of the site before any money can be given to the town. Tibbetts said although the gas station will be under the ownership of the town, the cost of cleaning up the site will be known before the purchase is made.

“We will know by April 13 whether or not funds are committed,” Tibbetts said.

The sales agreement, signed by Tibbetts in January, holds the price of the station at $310,000, almost half the asking price two years ago when it was first advertised for sale.

The sales agreement contains four conditions.  The first condition has already been achieved by selectmen approving the agreement on Jan. 28.

Current testing paid for through hazardous mitigation funds will show the extent of any contamination that may exist. Southern Maine Regional Planning set aside $200,000 for any subsequent cleanup. The testing is covered under the grant.

Tibbetts told selectmen if the cleanup estimate exceeds $200,000, the town will know before residents vote – at either the June or November ballot – and may be able to pursue more grant money from Southern Maine Regional Planning or the Department of Environmental Protection through the Brownfields grant.

“I think it’s a golden opportunity to get one of the gas stations out of the downtown,” Selectman Al Searles said.

Selectmen have until April 13 to finalize the ballot for the June 8 referendum.  Tibbetts told selectmen he hopes by then to have information on how much cleanup is needed and how much it would cost.

Karytko warned selectmen many residents may not vote to purchase the parcel because no decision has  been made on its use or whether it would be sold.

 “Be a little bit more definitive, it will help a lot of people out there,” Karytko said.

Kennebunk resident John Costin questioned whether the town is jumping too quickly to purchase the lot.

Costin brought up the purchase of Park Street and Cousens schools from the former school distric, saying the town had already once entered into a similar real estate deal and it had created headaches for town administration and committies. Town committees and residents had similar discussions about what to do with Park Street School. Ideas included renting rooms to the town and businesses for meetings and other gatherings, using it as a gym or art gallery.

Cousens School was sold to Avesta Housing, the Portland based affordable housing agency, for $400,000 and Park Street is now under contract with Avesta.

The money from the sale of Cousens would be used to purchase the gas station.

Board of Selectmen Chairman Wayne Berry said a committee could be formed to look at possible uses for the gas station site if voters approve the purchase.

 The public hearing on the gas station will continue at the next selectmen’s meeting on April 13 at Kenenbunk Town Hall.

Staff Writer Suzanne Hodgson can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 233.