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12 North Main Street Project
The Town of Westford came into ownership of 12 North Main Street in 2015 through tax foreclosure and has made iterative progress towards addressing site contamination challenges and exploring the potential reuse for the property. The property features an abandoned mill building that was formerly part of the Abbot Worsted Company, and more recently is known as "Westford Anodizing."
Current Status
The Town is currently working with a Licensed Site Professional (LSP) to determine the scope and extent of any environmental remediation that will be required for the interior of the structure while mitigating the contamination issues on the exterior of the building. Additionally, the Town is working with several consultants to review the potential options for wastewater treatment systems and current market forces in order for the Select Board to make a recommendation to the Town for the future use of the property that would benefit the community.
Anticipated Activities for 2025:
Wastewater Study and Market Study funded through Housing Choice Grant to be completed by June 30, 2025 per grant agreements. Land Use Management Department to review findings with the Select Board, likely in August 2025.
Remedial activities on AOC-4 to be completed in Summer 2025, with a Permanent Solution Statement (for AOC-4) to be filed by the end of the calendar year.
Remaining cleanup activities on the exterior of the building in AOC-2 to be completed in Summer 2025. The Land Use Management Department and the Town’s Consultant, Nobis Engineering, will provide options and seek direction from the Select Board at a future meeting to advance assessment activities within the building.
History of the Town's involvement and Project Activities:
January 2025: Market Study Consultant approved by Select Board (RKG Associates)
December 2024: Wastewater Consultant approved by Select Board (Lombardo Associates, Inc.)
July 2024 – December 2024: Request for Proposal (RFP) and interviews for Wastewater Study and Market Study Consultants.
August 2024: Nobis Engineering conducts boundary survey of 12 North Main Street property.
June 2024 – November 2024: Invitation for Bid (IFB) and selection of Nobis Engineering, Inc. to conduct AOC-1 & AOC-2 cleanup activities.
March 2024: Land Use Management Department assumes an active leadership role in managing the 12 North Main Street Project.
January 2024 – May 2024: Invitation for Bid (IFB) and Town selects Nobis Engineering, Inc. to conduct AOC-4 cleanup activities.
January 2024: Town Receives $190,000 Housing Choice Grant for Wastewater Analysis and Market Analysis for 12 North Main Street and $250,000 MassDevelopment Brownfields Grant for AOC-1 and AOC 2 remedial work.
July 2023: Town receives $500,000 EPA Grant to address cleanup activities on AOC-4.
June 2023: Department submits multiple grant applications to Community One Stop for Growth, including wastewater and market analyses for 12 North Main Street.
February 2023: Land Use Management Department recommends additional studies to identify barriers and potential solutions to redevelop the property.
May 2022: Order of Conditions issued by the Conservation Commission for remedial work to take place on AOC-1, AOC-2 and AOC-4.
January 2022: Town receives $240,000 MassDevelopment Brownfields Cleanup Grant (used to remove contaminated soils on Area of Concern 2 [AOC-2]).
September 2021: Task Force Disbanded.
November 2020 – January 2021: Request for Proposal (RFP) for Property to be sold; unsuccessful.
June – July 2020: Limited Structural Assessment completed.
January 2020: Town receives $64,500 MassDevelopment Brownfields Assessment Grant (used to assess the extent of contaminant impacts to soil, groundwater and sediment). The assessment provided the details required to support state regulatory reporting requirements.
July – August 2019: Request for Proposal (RFP) for Property to be sold; unsuccessful.
February – May 2017: Request for Proposals (RFP) for Property to be sold; unsuccessful.
May – June 2016: Invitation for Bids (IFB) for Selective Demolition and Abatement Work (collapsed roofs and all known Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) removed to ease the weight on the building).
2015 Special Town Meeting: Approved 12 North Main Street Task Force application for $378,250 of Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds.
2015 Annual Town Meeting: Authorized the transfer of parcels located at 12 North Main Street from the Tax Possession Sale Committee to the Select Board, and authorized the Board to dispose of the parcels.
February 2015: Select Board votes to proceed with Tax Foreclosure.
November 2014 – February 2015: Several presentations to Select Board and community.
August – September 2014: 12 North Main Street Task Force formed.
January 2014: Limited Soil Assessment conducted by Watermark.
The Abbot Worsted Company in Graniteville was founded in 1855 by John W. Abbot, John W.P. Abbot and Charles G. Sargent. The Company manufactured fine worsted yarn brain and upholstery yarn.
The existing stone mill building at the corner of North Main Street and Broadway Street was built in 1858 and is approximately 32,000 sq. ft. with the total property spanning 1.46 acres. For more history on the site please visit the Westford Historical Society and Museum website