Roosevelt to move on abandoned gas station

If foreclosure occurs, boro may use parcel to house municipal facilities

By linda denicola
Staff Writer

By linda denicola
Staff Writer

ROOSEVELT — For several years now, Roosevelt officials have agreed that the abandoned gas station on the main street through the borough is an eyesore, especially since it is the first thing drivers see as they drive east through town. Finally, something is going to be done about it.

A sheriff’s sale has been scheduled for June 30. According to Mayor Michael Hamilton, the Sheriff’s Sale is the culmination of the long and involved foreclosure proceedings instituted by the borough several years ago. "If no one bids an amount greater than the back taxes and penalties owed on June 30, the borough will gain possession and control of the property. We can then take steps to address what has been a blight on our community.

"We are currently discussing the possibility of subdividing the property and (if the building can be saved) using it as an emergency services/public works facility. The remaining land could be donated to a nonprofit for a group home as part of our contribution to address our affordable housing obligation."

On the advice of an attorney, the council decided to foreclose on the property, which is located on Route 571, at the end of 2001. At that time, the 4- or 5-acre property had been abandoned for at least 10 years.

Hamilton said that, at the time, past councils were reluctant to take over the property because it also meant taking over the responsibility for cleaning up the site, but the recent legislation has made it possible for the borough to apply for a grant.

In a town with few ratables, the abandoned gas station, surrounded by weeds and woods, is a wasted resource. It had also been an invitation for vandalism until the owners, John and Margaret Guyette, secured the building, officials said.

Although it was no longer a safety hazard, Ed Goetzmann, the borough’s construction code enforcement officer, said at the time that the decision was made to foreclose. He was concerned that it had the potential to be a health hazard because there was insulation hanging down and all over the floor.

The owners bought the service station, then known as Roosevelt Auto and Truck Service Inc., around 1982 and stopped selling gasoline in 1990. They discontinued the auto repair service shortly after, and the structure has been vacant ever since.

The abandoned gas station property had been plagued by contamination in the soil and ground water. For a while, nobody took responsibility for cleaning up the property of the chemicals. Several underground storage tanks, defunct since the early 1990s, were pumped out about two years ago by the state Department of Environmental Protection.