Officials Fear Mill Collapse Could Pollute Deerfield River

MONROE (AP) — A nearly 140-year-old paper mill building in Massachusetts that's in danger of collapsing has some people worried about environmental damage to the Deerfield River.

Monroe town officials and the Franklin Regional Council of Governments are trying to secure an estimated $260,000 for hazardous waste removal and demolition of the crumbling and sagging wooden structure on the river bank.

Regional Health Agent Glen Ayers tells The Recorder of Greenfield there's concern a collapse could pollute the water and hurt downstream recreational activities.

The closed and condemned mill was built in 1877. The current owner bought it in 1996 but hasn't paid taxes on it since 1999 and has been unresponsive to town officials who have tried to get permission to access the building for inspections.