Re: Town workers facing mold, cracks, danger

[Guest guest]

KC, this does not surprise me. I was just appaulled at the telegram

and gazette taking note in what affects town workers, and the other

recent stories about the young girls that had mold in their

apartments, but refuse to acknowledge our stroy of the real dangers,

unhealthy building and apartments in my bulding. Is it because we are

not sick enough, or is it a form of discrimination that they will not

print our story because we are in a HUD tenancy/building. I am so

upset that we get ignored on a continuous basis, I am not giving up

this fight. I am too sick too give up. My assertiveness and

persistance will prevail over the pitfalls that get in my way. I

don't care if I have to fight the town hall, let the truth be known

from the numbers......Tish, if I may quote you " ENOUGH IS ENOUGH " .

Darlene

>

> Thursday, September 28, 2006

> Worcester Telegram - Worcester,MA

>

> Town workers facing mold, cracks, danger

> West Boylston to vote on funds for town offices

>

> By Laquidara Hill TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

>

> http://www.telegram.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?

> AID=/20060928/NEWS/309280003/1008/NEWS02

>

> WEST BOYLSTON— The subtle odor of mold that greets visitors to the

> Helen C. Mixter Municipal Building is only one of the building's

> problems, but town offices are likely to remain there for another

> two years, until it is replaced.

>

> Town Administrator Leon Gaumond Jr. said yesterday that voters at

> the Oct. 16 town meeting will be asked to approve funds for a study

> to determine the cost of building a new Town Hall and renovating

> other town and school buildings. He estimated the cost of the study

> at less than $100,000.

>

> Once the study is complete, he said, voters at a later town meeting

> will be asked to approve a debt exclusion to pay for the multi-

> building project.

>

>

> If all goes well, he said, construction of a new Town Hall should

> start in a year and take less than a year.

>

> Hot in the summer and cold in the winter, the flat-roofed Mixter

> Building could collapse if it is weighted down by 18 inches of snow,

> according to Breagy, building inspector.

>

> The solution to that problem will be the same this winter as last

> winter, according to Mr. Gaumond. He said yesterday that if there is

> significant snow this winter, he will protect town employees and

> visitors by ordering the building closed until enough snow has

> melted.

>

> Last winter, Mr. Breagy said, soon after he was hired as building

> inspector, he ordered workers who were shoveling snow from the roof

> to get off of it. A subsequent structural evaluation of the building

> by an independent firm found the roof was unsafe for the weight of a

> man, Mr. Breagy said Monday.

>

> He attributes the odor to mold and mildew caused by leaks. A more

> serious problem, said Mr. Breagy, is the lack of structural

> integrity.

>

> " I would never give them an occupancy certificate and neither did

> the two previous (building) inspectors, " Mr. Breagy said Monday. " As

> far as I know, they haven't had one in a decade or more than a

> decade. "

>

> He said the building was built as a school in the 1960s. He said it

> would not pass inspection if it were built today.

>

> " The joists are too long for the spans. Basically, it would not meet

> any codes today, " Mr. Breagy said.

>

> He said structural problems include " severe cracks " in the masonry

> bearing walls.

>

> " Eventually the walls will crack, the roof will give. It's already

> started, " Mr. Breagy said.

>

> The plan in July was for Mr. Gaumond to lease space for town offices

> until a new building is constructed, but selectmen recently voted

> against spending $100,000 to lease space.

>

> Mr. Gaumond said yesterday the warrant article for the Oct. 16 town

> meeting would get the ball rolling on replacing the Mixter Building.

>

> He said the funds, if approved, might come from available funds in

> town accounts. They would pay for requests for proposals for

> building a new Town Hall on or near the current site. Also,

> proposals would be sought for renovating the Major

> Elementary School and West Boylston High School, the police station,

> the fire station and for a new Department of Public Works building.

>

> In the meantime, Mr. Gaumond said, he is concerned that health

> problems could be caused by the mold, and wants to have the matter

> studied.

>

> McCormick, chairman of selectmen, who had supported leasing

> space in another building until the Mixter Building is replaced,

> said yesterday that most town officials and town employees are

> willing to continue using the Mixter Building pending a permanent

> solution.

>