UPDATE: Bangor has just announced a significant expenditure of nearly $120,000 to clean up its largest homeless encampment, which spanned approximately 7 acres between Cleveland Street and Texas Avenue. This encampment was home to nearly 100 individuals, highlighting the urgent need for immediate action in addressing homelessness in the area.
The cleanup comes amid growing concerns regarding environmental contamination linked to the Hawk Ridge Compost Facility, a site once envisioned as an organic recycling center. Bill Ginn, the former chief conservation officer at The Nature Conservancy and the facility’s creator, expressed his dismay: “What we originally envisioned as a wonderful little organic composting facility that would make great products is now a toxic waste site … It’s a terrible tragedy, what’s happened.”
This urgent cleanup effort is part of a broader initiative on Giving Tuesday, where local organizations, including the Bangor Daily News and the Maine Community Action Partnership, are rallying to raise funds for emergency heating assistance to help Mainers keep their homes warm during the winter months.
Additionally, the state faces pressing environmental challenges as the fallout from PFAS pollution continues to impact communities. The cleanup at the Hawk Ridge facility underscores the need for vigilance and action against such toxic threats.
As winter approaches, residents are urged to be aware of a winter storm warning that could bring 5-10 inches of snow to eastern and central Maine, adding another layer of urgency for those affected by homelessness and environmental issues.
Moving forward, Bangor officials are expected to implement further measures to address homelessness and environmental safety, ensuring the health and well-being of its residents remain a top priority.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story and how it impacts the Bangor community.
