Mold forces Aberdeen detectives to relocate

February 23, 2006

Posted on Thu, Feb. 23, 2006

Aberdeen, S.D

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Office equipment moved to old CentralBy ArthurAmerican News

WriterThe presence of mold in a second floor section of city hall

has forced the Aberdeen Police Department's detective division to

relocate.

Adam Altman, city attorney, said after hearing employee concerns,

the city hired an air quality engineer to run tests about two weeks

ago.

" The engineer came back with unusual levels, " Altman said.

A number of high efficiency filters were brought in to clean the

air, and Altman said he believes there is no immediate health risk.

However, the employees were given the option of staying where they

currently work or moving. They chose to relocate, Altman said.

Public works employees moved office equipment over to the third

floor of the old Aberdeen Central High School building, where Parks

and Rec currently resides, on Wednesday.

Aberdeen Mayor Mike Levsen said since there is no elevator in the

building, a plan was devised in order to help those who aren't able

to climb the steps. A room on the main level will be used and the

detectives will come down from the third floor, he said.

Altman said the high mold levels were based on preliminary results

from the air quality engineer, who thought that the mold was limited

to one piece of ceiling tile - which was lying in a closet - in that

part of the building. Random areas were also tested throughout the

building. Those areas had normal levels, Altman said.

A final report on the engineer's findings is due back in a couple of

weeks. Altman said he anticipates there might have to be some

remodeling done before the detective division is moved back.

" We're treating this strictly as a work environment issue, " he

said. " ... This is not a permanent move. "

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Reporter Arthur; (605) 622-2314 or 1-800-925-4100 ext. 314;

earthur@...

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