County applies for cleanup at marine site

PENN YAN—The Yates County finance committee agreed to send two resolutions to the legislature regarding cleanup work at the former Penn Yan Marine site during their meeting Tuesday, Nov. 5 The first resolution authorizes the submission of an application to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to include the former Penn Yan Marine site in the brownfield cleanup program. The second resolution amends a contract for additional remedial work at the site. Both resolutions were acted on by the legislature during their regular meeting Tuesday, Nov. 12.
According to the first resolution, the county seeks to enter the state brownfield cleanup program to remove any contamination at the site to prepare it for future development. In 2012, the legislature agreed to go with a proposal from Chrisanntha Inc. for a 42 unit housing development of “pocket neighborhoods” located at the site. The resolution states removing the contamination from the site and preparing it for development will “generate economic and environmental benefits for the community.”
County Planner Shawna Bonshak said the second resolution will amend the county’s current contract with LaBella Associates for additional remedial engineering at the site. She said the new contract will increase the contract amendment price up to $200,000 for engineering services, not to be exceeded. According to the resolution, LaBella had previously conducted a site investigation in 2009 where it was determined before any future development at the site, the buildings will need to be demolished and approximately 9,200 tons of soil will need to be removed. The resolution states LaBella will provide the engineering services throughout the work.
In other business:
• Bonshak also discussed moving the county planning board meetings to the legislative chambers for future meetings. She said this is because of difficulty hearing people speak in the county auditorium. The committee did not have any issue with the change in location.