Borough wants property owner to help pay for November blaze Business administrator says owner of Chicopee plant appears cooperative

Staff Writer

By nicole c. vaccaro

Borough wants property owner
to help pay for November blaze
Business administrator says owner of Chicopee
plant appears cooperative

MILLTOWN — Borough officials are hoping to get some help from the owner of the Michelin Tire complex in paying bills associated with last month’s Chicopee diaper plant fire.

The Nov. 19 blaze lasted for an entire day and required the services of more than 150 firefighters from throughout Middlesex County, resulting in a very costly battle.

Not only was some of the equipment damaged, but tons of water was expelled and much manpower expended, said Mayor Gloria Bradford in a recent statement.

Furthermore, debris had to be removed from the borough’s sewers after the area was swept clean, which required officials to hire an outside company.

Even though the Chicopee plant was abandoned, borough officials feel that Lawrence Berger’s ownership of the complex makes him somewhat responsible for costs incurred during the ordeal; however, they do not blame him.

"We (Milltown) did meet with Berger in October to identify and address concerns we had with regard to the (Michelin Tire) complex," said borough Business Administrator Richard Rydstrom. "We discussed the possible installation of security cameras and fencing around the site.

"Unfortunately, the fire broke out before anything had a chance to get done," he added. "But Berger did not ignore our concerns, and I’m confident he’d consider any claims we submit to his insurance as a result of the fire."

Rydstrom added that a recent conversation with Berger indicated a willingness to cooperate on his part and a desire to see changes made.

"He’s concerned just as we are and is willing to listen to any and all recommendations the borough has with regard to making the factory complex safer," Rydstrom said.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, according to Assistant County Prosecutor Ralph Cretella, who also heads the county arson unit.