HOULTON – It is now up to the Town Council to decide if the remnants of a former World War II internment camp are pieces of history or barriers to the wheels of progress.

At a meeting on Monday evening, officials from the engineering firm Dufresne-Henry presented councilors with a report detailing how the town could best preserve the site while also exploring the potential for economic development.

Camp Houlton once housed thousands of German POWs who picked potatoes and did other chores to support Allied troops. Today, the officers’ mess hall, portions of the infirmary and other relics remain on the site, which is also the home of the town’s industrial park. Officials hope to expand the park to make room for potential businesses.

Councilors will discuss the issue further at an upcoming meeting.

Some residents feel that any development at the site could threaten the historic value of the former camp.

In May, representatives from the Maine Historic Preservation Commission reviewed data about the site, and a state historic preservation officer concluded in June that both the camp and the site that contained the Houlton Air Base are eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.

The property in question was released to the town in 1991 from the Federal Aviation Administration.

William Gerrish, a representative of Dufresne-Henry, said that further steps could be taken to preserve the grounds, including documenting the site with pictures and records before moving ahead with future development. The representative said the town likely would need to conduct further studies before it moves forward with plans for the grounds.

Town Manager Peggy Daigle noted that the town will have to pay $4,800 for the first three phases of the study, which includes compiling maps, preparing a development plan and coordinating meetings.

The site is “right in the middle of” an economic development project that the town and Southern Aroostook Development Corp. have been working on, Daigle said. “This is something the council will have to consider in the future.”

Kay Bell, curator of a local museum, has been heavily involved with the former camp and was instrumental in bringing four of the former prisoners back to Houlton for a reunion in 2003.

“I’ve been interested in the camp for a long time,” Bell told councilors on Monday evening. “I think it would be nice to have an opportunity to discuss it with the council and others to come up with a plan.”

Chairman Dale Flewelling said he felt the council would have to make “a difficult decision.”

“There is a benefit in preservation and in progress,” the chairman noted.

Councilor Gerald Adams asked if keeping the camp would result in the town losing “potential land for economic development” in the industrial park.

“It already is in jeopardy,” Daigle confirmed on Monday.

Flewelling said the council needed to make a discussion quickly.

“Time is of the essence,” the chairman urged. “I don’t have an answer, but it warrants an immediate discussion.”