The 3M Company has finalized a deal to purchase five Oxford Street residences in the village of Brockport. Negotiations had been on-going for several months between the homeowners and the former Brockport manufacturer. 3M has acknowledged some responsibility for the presence of hazardous waste in the vicinity of its former plant. The purchase of the homes on the east side of Oxford Street further acknowledges the responsibility.

One homeowner, Kathy Snyder, told the Brockport Village Board on March 5 that the homes will be removed as soon as all the families are re-located. She estimated that could take up to six months.

Trustee Mort Wexler, himself a resident of the west side of Oxford Street, said he was concerned about what remediation would take place on the land after the houses are removed.

"Have you ever heard of pave and wave?" Snyder responded. Some residents are worried that 3M plans to simply pave over the five properties and not complete further remediation of the site. They’re also worried that 3M will ask for a zoning change from residential to commercial for the properties, which may reduce the amount of remediation they would be required to do. The village board would have to grant any zoning change.

"The important thing is that the people directly involved feel that they’ve been adequately compensated," Wexler told Snyder.

But Snyder replied, "I don’t feel good taking a settlement when there’s other people here with PCBs in their yards, people dying of cancer and they haven’t been compensated in any way."

Although the property purchase settles lawsuits the five homeowners had against 3M, it does not end the fight to have the site cleaned-up to acceptable standards, Snyder said. And it does not diminish health concerns that may take years to be recognized.

Other property owners in the surrounding neighborhood are concerned about the hazardous waste that has migrated off the original manufacturing site and contaminated soils, ground water and the Brockport Creek. 3M is not the only involved party. General Electric is also being held responsible by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for wastes it produced when operating a facility next to the 3M plant.

California-based environmental attorney Ed Masry is investigating the pollution generated at the site. His firm is expected to determine within the next few months whether there is enough evidence and damage to bring a suit against the manufacturers. The Brockport case was brought to Masry’s attention by REACH – Residents Environmentally Active for Change, a group spearheaded by Snyder and other affected residents. If Masry decides to pursue litigation, it is not clear at this point whom his client would be.