Stillwater looks to dump sinking tugboat

A failing 80-year-old towboat is set to cause big problems for Stillwater.

City Administrator Larry Hansen calls the Cayuga a liability. It was given to the city in 1998 after a barge company's lease ran out on the nearby land and the company left the ship as part of an agreement.

Tom Huninghake, owner of Max Todo Marine Service, leased the land from the city and used the boat as office space while plugging leaks, painting and fixing windows.

But Mayor Ken Harycki discovered Huninghake was using the nearby land at no cost in exchange for maintaining the boat. He felt the deal wasn't good for the city.

Huninghake walked away and the new tenants leasing the land want the boat gone, too. But the Cayuga also may pose an environment threat if it has old fuel, asbestos or lead paint on board.

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Information from: Stillwater Gazette

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