County discusses future of Wyoming property

Board of Supervisors
By: 
Kim Brooks
Express Editor

     With the future of the former Dirks Oil Station uncertain, the Jones County Supervisors met with County Attorney Kristofer Lyons and lawyer Matt McQuillen to discuss some options.

     The property is located at 311 E. Main St. in Wyoming. For several years now, the county has taken on the job of remediating any contamination of soil in an underground tank due to the nature of the former business.

     Now that appears that job is coming to an end, the county considered selling the property to the City of Wyoming, but their city council declined the offer.

     McQuillen, whose law firm represents the City of Wyoming, spoke on their behalf.

     “I’m here to offer some background,” he said. “Not to advocate for any decision.”

     He said the county has held the deed to the property since 2006, and it was the DNR that recommended the remediation process shortly after.

     An article in the March 7, 2007 Monticello Express talks about the county’s plans to oversee the project, led by then-County Engineer Mike McClain. Since McClain’s retirement, the job was handed down to current engineer, Derek Snead.

     Supervisor Wayne Manternach, who attended a Wyoming City Council meeting to discuss the property, asked why they turned the offer down.

     McQuillen said the city has no tended use for the property from a municipal standpoint.

     “Do they have interest in the land?” asked Supervisor Joe Oswald.

     “I have not had that discussion with them; I’d hate to go out on a limb,” said McQuillen.

     Furthermore, McQuillen said it was the county that received the grant funding to cover the costs for remediation. He believes the county has to be in possession of the land for that to continue.

     “The funds don’t transfer with the property,” clarified Lyons, who spoke to the DNR.

     “If the funds don’t transfer, on behalf of the city (of Wyoming), I’d say don’t take it,” said McQuillen.

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