Date: Fri 13-Sep-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDREA

Quick Words:

Booth-Library-project-asbestos

Full Text:

Library Project Stalls While Site Is Tested For Lead And Asbestos

B Y A NDREA Z IMMERMANN

Federal, state, and local health officials are awaiting tests results which

will indicate whether or not the dust covering the interior of the Cyrenius

Booth Library contains asbestos and lead particles, according to Health

District Director Mark Cooper.

The building has been closed to the public since early August when crews began

major interior renovations.

A representative from the state's Department of Health had inspected the site

a few weeks ago and discussed work that needed to be done, and upon returning

this Monday, found it had not been done. So he called in an OSHA inspector and

Newtown's Health District director, according to Mr Cooper.

"We're all looking at different things - Federal OSHA is looking at worker

safety; the state health [department] is looking at compliance to asbestos

removal; and on the local level, we're looking at potential lead hazards,"

said Mr Cooper. "We don't know if there is lead and or asbestos in that

dust... There may be no problem here at all."

Bruce Tuthill, the architect for the project said these materials were used in

anything built to prior to 1965. "Finding this stuff in a building is not

unusual. And we have a budget in the project to take care of it," said Mr

Tuthill, who has been the architect for 26 library projects in Connecticut and

Massachusetts. "Most of the projects we have done have had similar

situations."

If tests indicate a presence of lead or asbestos in the dust, Mr Cooper said

the clean up will probably delay the reopening of the library, currently

scheduled for September 30. A special cleaning system will be implemented to

remove the dust particles because regular vacuums do not filter out these

materials, said the Health District director.

Cascella Angered

While Mr Cooper reserved judgment on whether there was a serious problem with

hazardous materials at the library until the test results are in, First

Selectman Bob Cascella was assessing the problem as a "major issue" this week.

"There have been problems all along [with the project], but this is a major

issue," said First Selectman Bob Cascella, obviously angered about the

situation. "Granted, no one knew there would be this much asbestos. But it's

laying on the floor and nobody noticed it!... Who is to be held accountable?

I'm very unhappy that the town has been put in this position."

Mr Cascella has called a meeting for Friday with library board of trustees

representative Bill Lavery, Chairman of Public Building Committee Frank

Krasnickas, Building Inspector Al Brinley, Health Distric Director Mark

Cooper, Clerk of the Works Ed Callo, project architect Bruce Tuthill,

contractor Keith Crumbs, Legislative Council Chairman Joe Mahoney. Mr Cascella

said the issue and possible litigation will be discussed at the meeting. Once

town officials receive test results on whether either of the two hazardous

materials exist in the dust, they will determine the manner in which it is

removed.

"I have to say, this is an example that the system has worked," said Mr

Cooper. The goal is to protect the health of everyone involved, including the

library staff and public. "Finding lead and asbestos in old buildings is not

unusual. It only becomes a hazard if it is not recognized and controlled. If

we find it there we have to do an appropriate clean up."

Library Staff Back At Work

Although not yet able to serve customers, the library staff is back at work in

a store front in Queen Street Shopping Center. On Tuesday, Bibliomation set up

three computers so employees can discharge books that have been returned in

the library's book drop.

All overdue fines will be forgiven when the library reopens, but until that

time, patrons' records may indicate outstanding material. Library Director

Janet Woycik has written to all the local libraries asking that they honor

Booth Library cards regardless of what the computers indicate. If patrons have

difficulty checking out books at other libraries, the Booth Library staff will

be happy to try and rectify the situation. They can be reached at 426-4533.

Videos, along with books and books-on-tape, may now be returned in the book

drop in front of the library.