MONSON — Hopes of reviving the former Moosehead Furniture Co. plant in Monson have been dashed because of environmental problems with the property.

Over the weekend, furniture-making equipment was auctioned off, piece by piece. Everything was up for grabs, including specialized tools, parts and vehicles.

Louise Jonaitis, of Portland, had planned to reopen the plant. But that was before she learned of barrels of unidentified chemicals on the property.

She made the discovery before any money changed hands. The Bangor Daily News says she negotiated with a bank to buy the inventory instead of the foreclosed property. She’s still using the Moosehead name but the furniture is produced elsewhere in Maine.