KEVIN RAUCH/FOR THE EXPRESS A new company, Anesidora Enterprises, LLC, is looking to purchase the former WT Storey building to utilize as one of its labs in Renovo.

KEVIN RAUCH/FOR THE EXPRESS
Clinton County Commissioner Jim Russo, standing, speaks to Renovo Borough Council at its April meeting on Wednesday night.

RENOVO — Clinton County Commissioners Jim Russo and Angela Harding, along with other county officials, attended and spoke at the April Renovo Borough Council meeting about a business that is closing in on buying the former WT Storey Building across the tracks from state Route 120.

Anesidora Enterprises, LLC, which currently owns multiple labs, plans to buy the former WT Storey building and combine them into one major lab under that roof in Renovo.

The lab will evaluate small sample sizes of soil that have been reclaimed from old coal mines. At one point the dirt that will be evaluated was described as the mounds of dirt located near former coal operations that have sat still for decades. Often those mounds of dirt were typically pushed aside and an afterthought as miners dug deeper into the mountainside.

The Express was unable to find further information about Anesidora Enterprises, LLC.

It was reported that the lab will not need a permit from the Department of Environmental Protection, as any sample that could need further testing or reclamation due to hazards will be done so at a different facility, but not at the site of the Storey building.

The company plans to use trucks and trains to get the samples to the site of the western end of town, but they would be shipped to a different location if testing positive.

The sale is expected to go through within 30 days, and it will bring between 10 to 50 jobs with an average salary of $25 to $30 an hour and full benefits, which will include maintenance positions on up.

Norfolk Southern is cooperating and is on board with the project according to the Clinton County representatives.

Dave Harger, board president of the Clinton County Economic Partnership, gave the majority of the details and answered questions from Renovo officials as well as the standing room only crowd.

Louis Anastos, who was recently appointed CEO of the partnership, said council and the CCEP have a mutually beneficial relationship adding, “I’m really excited about this. Let’s work together.”

County representatives came at the invitation of council after several members and Mayor Justin Lynn heard varying proposals of what the new business would be that is set to purchase the property. None objected to what they heard from the county officials as optimistic excitement seemed to fill the room of the news provided.

Steve Gibson, county planner/engineer, gave updates on several projects currently taking place in Renovo, including the $1 million ATV trailhead in East Renovo.

Gibson explained that the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) halted the project. He said it was due to a minor issue originally caused by the planning commission opening an account for the project, which must instead be opened by the borough.

The incident was considered a minor snag, and the trailhead will continue moving along once council opens the account.

Gibson also talked about abandoned and deemed dangerous property on the 200 block of Champlain Avenue. He said bids to raze the house would ideally be considered by whoever bids on the 14 Street row home demolition, and it would not only save a little bit of money but make the whole process go smoothly.

Jamie Shrauder, of SEDA-COG, added that the Community Development Block Grant (CDGB) funded grant for the 12th Street water main project is also being planned for late summer in Renovo with.

After the water line is replaced, the road will be brought back up to base for the remainder of the year, but next year plans are to have a new street, curbing and some sidewalks on the street as well, she said.

Council also agreed to hire Dave Walker to once again be the ordinance officer in the borough. Walker held the position previously and council did the proper research to make sure a council member can be appointed to the position after getting the greenlight.

They made the move effective Monday, April 13.