BY JIMMY LAWTON
North Country This Week

OGDENSBURG -- After years of deterioration and stagnated efforts, the city is working with the Environmental Protection Agency to begin cleaning up the defunct cheese plant.

The facility has been closed for nearly a decade and has had the city entangled in legal battles for nearly as long.

Ogdensburg City Manager Stephen Jellie toured the city’s defunct cheese plant Tuesday as the EPA arrived to begin an assessment of the facility for the removal of hazardous substances left behind by the former tenant.

Mayor Jeff Skelly said he’s disappointed that the city let the building fall into disrepair but credited city staff with taking the steps necessary to get it cleaned up.

This facility has been vacant for close to 10 years while a lengthy legal battle ensued over unpaid water bills and breach of contract with the City of Ogdensburg.

During a recent site visit to the location it was discovered that potentially dangerous and hazardous chemicals remain stored in the facility posing a threat to the community should someone enter the facility unauthorized or a fire situation occur, according to the city manager.

The EPA responded promptly to the city’s request and came to visit the site.

Skelly said once the assessment is complete, the city intends to clean up the site and will likely tear down the building.

He said he’d like the city to become more proactive in preserving properties that it acquires through unpaid taxes. He says investing up front in keeping the buildings structurally sound will save the city money in the long run.