MONTAGUE — As the town prepares to undertake the demolition of the Strathmore mill complex, it will be seeking residents to join the process through a community involvement plan, a requirement of the federal grant that is funding the project.

As required by the Environmental Protection Agency’s $4.92 million grant, Montague must develop a community involvement plan for the project that will see the 1874 mill complex demolished and its site restored at 20 Canal St.

Assistant Town Administrator Chris Nolan-Zeller introduced the framework of the community plan during a Selectboard meeting on Monday evening, but noted that the document he shared was “very preliminary,” as several aspects need to ironed out.

“Once it’s ready in a more substantive form — it’ll still be a draft initially — it will contain specific provisions regarding how much community involvement is going to take place,” Nolan-Zeller explained. “It’s going to need to be reviewed by EPA before we’re permitted to draw down funds from this grant.”

Once complete, the community involvement plan will bring together “the public, particularly potentially affected residents, nearby business owners and local community-based organizations in the decision-making process regarding the environmental cleanup at the site,” according to the document shared by Nolan-Zeller.

He noted the EPA requires at “least one public meeting,” which could take place during a regularly scheduled Selectboard meeting. Residents will likely be asked for their participation “sometime around the spring,” as Nolan-Zeller continues to flesh out the plan.

The Strathmore mill complex is a former paper mill along the Connecticut River that was constructed in 1874 and expanded on through 1970. The mill ceased paper manufacturing in 1994.

A 2007 fire, determined to be caused by arson, destroyed Building 10 and damaged two other buildings. Montague acquired the site for redevelopment in February 2010, but due to the complex’s deteriorating nature and presence of contaminants in the buildings, the town must demolish it before any work can be done.

The EPA grant is supplemented by an additional $5 million from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation. The demolition of the mill, Nolan-Zeller said, is currently on track for 2025.

“As far as we’re aware,” he said, “we’re still moving forward toward a spring bidding for demolition.”

Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com.