Strathmore Mill Cleanup - March 2026 Project Update

In March 2026, the Town of Montague and its engineering consultant, Tighe & Bond, continued advancing the Strathmore Mill Cleanup project through ongoing fieldwork, design development, and preparation for upcoming permitting submissions.

A primary focus this month was completing critical site surveying needed to support wetlands permitting and overall project design. While winter conditions initially limited access to certain areas, improving weather allowed surveyors to return to the site toward the end of the month to capture remaining elevations, including slopes, courtyards, and building floor levels. This information is essential to finalizing permit application materials and advancing design plans.

Design work also progressed significantly, with Tighe & Bond continuing to refine demolition plans across the base bid and multiple alternate scenarios. These efforts include detailed structural evaluations, demolition sequencing, and development of contractor-ready drawings. The project team is working to clearly define how different demolition approaches will affect site conditions, Building 9 (privately-owned by Eagle Creek Renewables), and the surrounding infrastructure.

Permitting preparation remained a major component of work in March. Draft materials for wetlands, historical, and Beneficial Use Determination (BUD) applications are nearing completion, with submissions anticipated in the coming months. The project team is currently targeting a May 2026 Conservation Commission meeting for wetlands permitting review. In addition, coordination with state agencies, including Natural Heritage, is ongoing to confirm application requirements and timelines.

Field investigations and site observations continued to highlight the deteriorating condition of several mill structures, particularly Building 2, where ongoing water infiltration and structural degradation have been observed. These conditions reinforce the urgency of the project and are being incorporated into design and safety planning.

The Town and its consultants also continued coordination with Eagle Creek Renewables and other stakeholders as design details become more defined. Upcoming work will include additional site visits by engineering and specialty consultants to further assess utilities, structural conditions, and building interfaces.

Overall, the project remains on track, with permitting submissions, continued design refinement, and stakeholder coordination expected to be the primary focus in the coming months.

For more information, please visit the project webpage.

Posted: to General Montague News on Mon, Mar 30, 2026
Updated: Mon, Mar 30, 2026