The demolition of five houses on Oxford Street in the Village of Brockport has been delayed until October 29. Contractors have needed more time than originally projected to remove asbestos before demolition, according to village environmental consultant Ken Pike.

A Memorandum of Understanding outlines the agreement between 3M Corp and the Village of Brockport concerning the demolition and the status of the properties following the demolition. 3M purchased the five properties earlier this year due to hazardous waste contamination levels that made the building unsafe for human habitation.

The Memorandum states that 3M will remove the entire structures including basements and slabs and any noticeably discolored soil. The excavation area will be filled with clean soil. Some neighboring residents told the village board at its October 15 meeting that wasn't good enough. They want all the contaminated soil in the yard removed and replaced.

"There are at least three hot spots the DEC knows of," Tricia White of Oxford Street said. "Why isn't that soil being removed from the backyards?"

The backyards will likely be cleaned up at some time in the future, under a plan approved by the Department of Environmental Conservation.

"This is a demolition project," Pike said, "not a remedial project. The goal is to get the land capped for winter."

John Lessord of Lyman Street wasn't happy with the plan. "They've done enough testing. They know what's there. It's past time just to clean it up."