Waterville council postpones vote to sell Hathaway factory

WATERVILLE – The City Council has indefinitely postponed a final vote to sell the former C.F. Hathaway building to Michael Peloquin for $950,000, but the Arizona developer says he is still interested in buying the plant.

The council’s unanimous vote came without discussion following an executive session Tuesday night.

In what he called his final offer, Peloquin recently said he was willing to buy the building for $750,000 in cash and $200,000 that would be financed by the city.

City Solicitor William Lee said the council’s vote takes Peloquin’s offer off the table but that city officials were willing to continue discussions with him.

Lee said the city is marketing the Water Street building, which was appraised two months ago at $950,000.

Peloquin has also made inquiries about available buildings in Dexter, including the former Dexter Shoe Co. building, where he has said he could move the shirt-making equipment if he did not succeed in buying the Waterville plant.

Dexter Town Manager Bob Simpson said Wednesday that he had spoken with Peloquin twice, had sent him some information, and had shown a representative of Peloquin’s some facilities in the community. Simpson added, however, that no paperwork had been signed and no offers tendered.

More than 200 Hathaway workers lost their jobs when the company’s latest owner, Windsong Allegiance Apparel Group, shut down the factory last October.