In Saranac Lake, New York, the village Board of Trustees has voted 3-2 to finance the removal of asbestos from a property on Neil Street. The site has fallen into disrepair, and contains a dilapidated trailer. All told, it has been reported that it will take $12,000 to remedy the asbestos situation.

The removal of asbestos is important, as exposure to the material can cause serious health problems. Inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers can ultimately prove lethal, with asbestos exposure linked to lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. Mesothelioma, a rare cancer, can affect the lungs, the lining of the heart, and the tissues in the abdominal cavity. Sadly, the disease can kill within months of being diagnosed in some cases.

The village had planned to sell of the Neil Street property once it had been cleaned up, but the parcel is so tiny (about a tenth of an acre) that developing the land could be tricky. "At this point, the property is useless unless someone wants to put a trailer back there," said Trustee John McEneany.

"The board’s intent was to clean up the property," McEneany added. "I also know it was the intent of the board to get it back on the tax rolls and possibly put in some kind of workforce housing. But at these particular dimensions, that isn’t going to happen."

Village Manager Marty Murphy recommended that in order to entice buyers, the property should be clean and free of asbestos. "I would recommend we put it out to the open market first, and if we’re not able to sell it that way, perhaps we can approach some not-for-profit agencies and see if we can structure some kind of a partnership," Murphy said.

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