News

Dog park plans on hold in Windsor

By KATY SAVAGE
[email protected]
WINDSOR, Vt. — Plans to use the former armory as a dog park are on hold after an environmental study found the 1950 building could contain lead paint.

The town was ready to take ownership of the 5,000-square-foot building, which has sat vacant since the National Guard left in 2011.

“If it turns out the paint is contaminated, it could be a very expensive cleanup,” said Town Manager Tom Marsh, estimating it could cost up to $1 million.

“We’re kind of stuck,” said Marsh.

The National Guard was going to gift the building to the town. The building sits on town-owned land and is near a recreation area and Windsor Schools.

Approximately 100 residents used the property, which is surrounded by a fence, as a dog park for the past two years until the National Guard locked the gate in February, citing liability concerns.

“We were hoping that if we got the transfer of the property done this spring, the dog park could be something that’s up and running,” said Marsh. “But it doesn’t look like that’s happening.”

Kerry Clifford, who owns a shepherd-border collie mix named Moxie, is one of the leaders in creating the dog park, to be called Paradise Bark.

Windsor doesn’t currently have a dog park. Clifford considered other locations for a dog park but she said the land the armory sits on is ideal.

“It seemed like a no-brainer, the fencing is already there,” she said. “It’s got plenty of parking and it has nice shade on three sides — there’s almost always a spot that’s protected from the sun a little bit.”

Paradise Bark held a dog halloween costume party in October. Members of the group also held dog meetups so their dogs could play in the park together.

“It kinda stinks,” said Clifford.

Marsh was surprised by the study’s findings. He expected the building to be similar to other armory buildings in the area, which were built around the same time.

Marsh told the National Guard that removing lead paint would be a requirement before taking ownership. He said the town considered demolishing the building but there are also costs involved with that.

The $2,000 phase 1 environmental study was completed by LEE Environmental in Waterbury and was paid for by the Southern Windsor County Regional Planning Commission.

The study examined the building’s history, including previous environmental studies, which is how the lead issue was discovered. Phase 1 studies are recommended before a commercial piece of property changes ownership.

Marsh said there were no plans to do a phase 2 environmental assessment, which would involve soil tests.

If the property doesn’t change hands in six months, another environmental study will be required.

“It’s likely we won’t have a conclusion to this in six months, so another test will be necessary,” said Marsh.

Clifford said she would explore working with the National Guard to use the land as the town considers taking ownership.

“I’m disappointed but still hopeful,” she said.

 

 ᐧ

Avatar photo

As your daily newspaper, we are committed to providing you with important local news coverage for Sullivan County and the surrounding areas.