Date: Fri 12-Sep-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: KAAREN

Quick Words:

Booth-Library-asbestos

Full Text:

State Health Dept. Reports On Asbestos Violations At The Library

After a year-long review, the state Department of Public Health has determined

that the initial asbestos abatement work at the Cyrenius H. Booth Library was

not done in compliance with state regulations.

Because the job eventually was finished by a licensed asbestos contractor,

however, the violations probably will not result in any fines.

The state health department does not have the authority to issue fines or

criminal penalties. But it could have recommended fines of up to $5,000 a day

for violation of National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants and

imprisonment of up to one year for violations of state statutes.

The findings of "non-compliance" were issued on August 29 by the health

department against the town; the library; the general contractor, Building

Technologies, Inc, of Prospect; and the demolition contractor, United Coastal

Industries, Inc, of Bloomfield.

The report, which was sent to First Selectman Bob Cascella and to Mark Cooper,

director of the Newtown Health District, last week, essentially was an

"administrative letter" that recorded the previous violations and warned the

parties involved not to allow any more violations.

"I'm glad the state has decided not to fine anyone," Mr Cascella said this

week. "All we're interested in now is getting a certificate of occupancy so

that we can open the library. That didn't happen this week, and I doubt that

it will happen next week either."

In the state report, the town and the library each were accused of 14

violations; the contractors were accused of 24. The violations ranged from

failing to notify the proper authorities about the asbestos removal, improper

handling of materials, untrained workers and inadequate record keeping.

The investigation began in August 1996 because of anonymous complaint from a

worker who said material that contained asbestos was being disturbed during

the renovations in the library.

Asbestos subsequently was found in the duct joint insulation, pipe insulation,

flooring mastic, acoustical spray-on and plaster walls and ceilings of the

building. It had been used during the construction of the library in 1931,

years before the health hazard of the material was known.

After the complaint was made, the library project was halted for weeks until a

licensed asbestos contractor could be hired to conduct the abatement work.