Local News

‘Imminent danger’: North Attleborough closes road, will demolish old building to avoid collapse

The Webster Mill building — a three-story building off of Broadway built in the 1800s — is in “imminent danger of collapsing" into public way, officials said.

Webster Mill building on Google Maps, taken in September 2023. Google Maps.

February 29, 2024

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North Attleborough is moving forward with a demolition of a structurally unsound building after its owners didn’t respond to the town’s notice.

The Webster Mill building – a three-story building off of Broadway built in the 1800s – is in “imminent danger of collapsing,” town officials announced.

The town closed part of a road Wednesday afternoon until further notice. Residents are being asked to avoid the area and take the planned detour around the closed block.

Town Manager Michael Borg said that recent storms and a partial roof collapse have made the building unsafe.

“The Webster Mill property has been a public safety concern for many years,” Borg said. “We have made it our priority to ensure that necessary actions are taken to address any issues that may arise.”

The owners had 24 hours to respond to the safety concern, per state law. Their 24 hours were up at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday without a response, the town said. The town announced then that it is going ahead with plans to demolish the part of the mill that could collapse into the public way.

On Thursday morning, pest control began work on the mill to stop pests from spreading into the town.

The town is also working with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to stop the potential spread of asbestos. The building will be sprayed with water to stop its spread, and air quality will be monitored, the town announced.

The demolition will begin on Monday and end Tuesday, the town said.

The portion of Broadway from Richards Avenue to Bank Street closed starting Wednesday at 4 p.m. and will be closed until further notice. Southbound traffic will take Richards Avenue to Washington Street to Eddy Street back to Broadway. Northbound drivers will take Bank Street to Norse Street to Richards Avenue back to Broadway.