Strathmore Mill Cleanup - May 2026 Project Update

In May 2026, the Town of Montague and its engineering consultant, Tighe & Bond, continued making substantial progress on the Strathmore Mill Cleanup project, with a major focus on regulatory permitting, historical coordination, and advancing demolition design.

This month, the project team prepared for and participated in the May 14 Conservation Commission hearing on the project’s Notice of Intent (NOI) application under the Wetlands Protection Act. The hearing included discussion of erosion and debris control measures, floodplain considerations, and future site stabilization approaches. Because state Natural Heritage review remains ongoing, the hearing is expected to continue into a future meeting before the Commission can close the public hearing process.

Significant progress was also made on historical review documentation. Tighe & Bond continued refining plan sets and preservation narratives intended for submission to the Massachusetts Historical Commission. These materials identify site features proposed for preservation or reuse where feasible, including portions of existing fieldstone retaining walls, select masonry elements, and reuse of salvaged brick material in future façade treatments and site stabilization efforts. The Town also continued coordination with the Montague Historical Commission regarding these filings and potential mitigation measures.

The project’s Beneficial Use Determination (BUD) application also advanced substantially during May. Technical reports and supporting materials were finalized and prepared for formal submission to MassDEP. If approved, the BUD would allow suitable brick and concrete material from demolished buildings to be processed and reused on-site as engineered fill, reducing trucking impacts and minimizing off-site disposal needs.

Design development and structural analysis continued throughout the month, including additional field investigations to better understand subsurface conditions and former tailrace structures beneath portions of the site. Newly identified underground voids and structural features are being incorporated into the demolition and site stabilization plans. While these discoveries may modestly increase certain construction costs, they are not expected to significantly alter the overall project approach or schedule.

Coordination with Eagle Creek Renewables also continued this month as the project team began developing more detailed construction sequencing and utility coordination plans related to Building 9 and adjacent hydroelectric infrastructure. Upcoming work will include additional site visits by structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineers to further assess existing systems and anticipated interface requirements during demolition activities.

At this time, the project team continues targeting bidding in late summer 2026, pending ongoing permitting reviews and approvals. The Town will continue to share updates as major milestones are reached.

For more information, please visit the project webpage.

Posted: to General Montague News on Thu, May 28, 2026
Updated: Thu, May 28, 2026