Politics & Government

Solicitor: Slag Bids Are 'Currently in Negotiation'

In response to a question from a member of the public, Hellertown Borough Council solicitor Michael Corriere confirmed June 18 that negotiations are underway for the sale of slag from the Thomas Iron Works site.

Slag is a byproduct of iron production, and Hellertown has tons of it, piled in large mounds at the site of the former Thomas Iron Works near the Saucon Creek.

On June 18, Borough Council solicitor Michael Corriere confirmed that the borough is "currently in negotiations" to sell some or all of the slag that is a remnant of Hellertown's almost forgotten industrial era.

Responding to a question from resident Linda Lee Wright, of Juniper Road, Corriere said he's "not even sure anything's going to happen" with the negotiations.

Find out what's happening in Hellertown-Lower Sauconwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

He did not say how long negotiations have been underway, or speculate on how long they might continue.

"Once there is a valid contract (for the sale of slag), then it will be discussed and voted on in public," Corriere said.

Find out what's happening in Hellertown-Lower Sauconwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Wright asked what the timeframe for removal of the slag would be, but Corriere said that would only be made public after a contract is signed.

There has been no discussion regarding how the money that could be generated from the sale of the slag would be used, he said, since it's unclear that there will be a sale.

The iron works site is located near the northern terminus of the , between the creek and a residential neighborhood west of Main Street.

Due to the relative seclusion the moonscaped area offers, over the years it's been a popular location for drinking parties and other recreational activities typically frowned upon by local authorities.


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