SARANAC LAKE — The village will auction two parcels of land on Broadway, between Taylor Rental and the Saranac Lake Baptist Church, at 4 p.m. on Nov. 25 on the steps of Harrietstown Town Hall.

One parcel has had partial cleanup of contaminants left by a decades of industrial use, use as a dumping ground, and the storage of tar and waste on site.

The two parcels, with a combined area of 3.14 acres, are vacant, with access to municipal water and sewer. The village is requiring that both parcels be purchased at a minimum bid of $170,000. A 10 percent nonrefundable deposit submitted at the end of the auction is also required by the village.

Lot 3, at 1.39 acres, has an environmental easement on its use, after contaminants were found on site. The state Department of Environmental Conservation carried out remediation work from 2007 through 2008, and established engineering controls like erosion fences to contain contaminated soil. The DEC issued a certificate of remedial completion on Nov. 16, 2011, though contamination still remains in the soil on site.

“Historic commercial and manufacturing activities at LOT 3 resulted in impacts to soils and groundwater,” states the Site Management Plan for the parcel, prepared by C.T. Male Associates on DEC order. “From volatile organic compounds, semi-volatile organic compounds, polychlorinated biphenyls, pesticides and metals.”

According to that document, LOT 3’s association with manufacturing and industrial use started in the 1920s with the Gladd Brothers automotive and repair facility. At the onset of World War II, the structure was converted towards use in the manufacturing of “war related items reportedly involving aircraft landing gear and land mind fuses,” the document states. After the war, the site was once again used for automotive repair, then for utility work and electrical equipment storage. All on-site structures were demolished in the 1960s.

“Thereafter, LOT 3 has been vacant and was reportedly utilized as a solid waste disposal area by various unknown entities for approximately 5 to 10 years before being prohibited,” the document states.

As a result, yearly testing is mandated by the DEC to monitor soil contamination, if a substantial soil cover is not installed, according to a site assessment by Hilco Real Estate Appraisal. Alternatively, a buyer could have the contaminated soil removed and disposed of off-site, the assessment states.

“Any future disturbance and development will require a cover system consisting of a two-foot soil cover,” the DEC site management plan states. “Site development related asphalt pavement, concrete sidewalks, and concrete building slabs may be utilized in place of the soil cover.”

Lot 3 is zoned as residential-restricted as a result of this contamination. Single-family-housing is not allowed on site, though apartments or townhouses are. Other allowable uses include as an active recreational park, or commercial or industrial use.

According to Hilco, who reviewed DEC, CT Male & Associates and the Cedar Eden Environmental reports, there is no contamination on Lot 4, which is 1.75 acres.

Hilco estimated the annual costs of DEC-mandated testing on Lot 3 to range from $10 to $6,000 “depending on the type of testing.” In addition, Hilco appraised LOT 3 at $70,000 and Lot 4 at $100,000.

“Overall, we see no significant limitations to developing either lot to its highest and best use,” the Hillco assessment states.

Village representatives provided information on the auction and site contamination, but could not be reached for comment on the contamination on Lot 3 by press time.