During a Thursday evening public hearing, residents of the Village of Fayetteville expressed alarm over the demolition of the former O’Brien & Gere Engineering Building. The aging factory is slated for removal so the site can become a supermarket, but the next phase—removing a concrete slab that may contain hazardous chemicals—has sparked health concerns.
Community coalition forms amid health complaints
Neighbors have reported symptoms they attribute to airborne contaminants, including scratchy throats, dark mucus, and migraines. In response, a coalition of local residents and community members organized to conduct their own research after feeling unheard by village officials.
“The main threat sits beneath that slab. It’s TCE, and it’s a terrible carcinogen,” said Jim Brule, a coalition member. Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a known carcinogen that can linger in soil and groundwater, raising legitimate worries for families, schoolchildren, and worshippers who frequent nearby schools and churches.
Mayor Small cites jurisdiction limits
Mayor Michael Small addressed the crowd, explaining that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) holds primary authority over the slab removal. “The only part the Village has control over is sharing information to the public,” Small said, emphasizing the village’s role in transparency rather than direct remediation.
When pressed about his ability to intervene, Small replied, “I don’t have the ability to tell the DEC what to do.” He added that the DEC has been contacted and will respond to community concerns soon.
Calls for greater transparency and faster action
Residents are demanding more timely updates and clearer communication from both the village and the DEC. The coalition argues that the proximity of schools and religious institutions heightens the urgency for a thorough environmental assessment and swift remediation.
“We need the DEC to move quickly and the village to keep us informed,” said a local parent who asked to remain unnamed. The coalition plans to continue monitoring air quality and to request regular public briefings.
Next steps for the demolition project
The demolition of the factory’s superstructure is already underway, with the concrete slab identified as the final obstacle before construction of the new supermarket can begin. The DEC’s upcoming plan will determine whether the slab can be safely removed, treated, or replaced.
Village officials have pledged to post any DEC findings on the village website and to hold additional public meetings as needed. In the meantime, the coalition urges residents to stay vigilant, report any new health symptoms, and support efforts to protect the community’s well‑being.
Background on the site
The O’Brien & Gere Engineering Building operated for decades before closing, leaving behind industrial waste typical of mid‑20th‑century manufacturing facilities. While the demolition aims to revitalize the area with new retail space, the lingering environmental legacy underscores the importance of thorough cleanup before redevelopment.
Local officials and the coalition both agree that safeguarding public health must remain the top priority as the project moves forward.
Original reporting: CNY Central WSTM (Sinclair) – local — read the source article.
