Date: Fri 17-May-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: KAAREN

Quick Words:

Town-Hall-South-OSHA

Full Text:

Town Hall South: It May Stink, But It's Not Unhealthy

B Y K AAREN V ALENTA

Mark A.R. Cooper, director of the Newtown Health District, said this week the

town has received a report from the Occupational Safety and Health

Administration (OSHA) of the Connecticut Department of Labor on air quality

conditions in both Town Hall South and Edmond Town Hall.

"No imminent dangers were found in either building," Mr Cooper said. "Air

quality met airborne chemical contaminant screening and carbon dioxide air

sampling standards. Bulk samples and microscopic particle examination of dust

revealed no harmful constituents. Fungal and/or bacterial airborne

contamination was not found to be a problem."

The examination was done by OSHA after some town employees expressed concern

about working conditions in the building, particularly Town Hall South where

flooding has soaked carpeting and caused the growth of mold on some walls. The

employees complained of headaches, lethargy and stale air and poor circulation

in the building.

In its report, OSHA said the town needs to promptly clean up and repair all

areas where water leaks occur, remove and replace water-damaged materials such

as sheet rock, open windows whenever possible for better ventilation and

maintain a preventative maintenance plan for the efficient operation of the

building's heating, ventilating and air conditioning system.

OSHA did find some violations not related to air quality. A portable fire

extinguisher outside the boiler room had not been subjected to an annual

maintenance check, OSHA said, and there were some violations of the current

electrical codes. An OSHA notice was not posted to inform employees of the

protections and obligations provided for in the state statutes, the agency

said, nor was the annual summary of occupational injuries and illnesses

posted.

"The majority of the conditions noted are relatively easy to correct and will

be addressed in a timely manner," Mr Cooper said. "The most significant

problem, seasonal ground water flooding of Town Hall south, will take a little

more time to develop plans that are sound from an engineering perspective and

will be effective for the remaining useful life of the building."

First Selectman Bob Cascella said all OSHA recommendations will be implemented

and the violations will be corrected. The town must respond to OSHA, outlining

corrective actions that will be taken for each condition noted, what will be

done to prevent their reoccurence and in what time frame such actions will be

completed.

Mr Cascella said plans to renovate Town Hall South will be put on a "fast

track" as a result of the approval of the 1996-97 municipal budget in a town

meeting last week.

"We hope to have the project done by the end of the calendar year," he said.

Mr Cascella said the town will be negotiating with the low bidder to make some

minor changes to the plans before awarding the contract.

Bids for the renovation came in significantly higher than town officials hoped

last year. Clearheart Construction Company of Bethel was the low bidder with a

a base bid of $758,000. There were also eight alternate proposals including

asphalt paving repair, window replacement and rubber flooring, which would

bring the total project up to $893,385. Town officials had anticipated the

project would cost about $500,000.

Last year the Legislative Council, on the recommendation of its finance

committee, informally earmarked $250,000 in the town's capital reserve account

to help pay for the renovations. The council added $575,000 to the capital

reserve account in next year's budget.

"There's about $2 million in the capital reserve account," Mr Cascella said.

"But money for specific projects like Town Hall South can't be allocated until

it is approved by the council and by the voters at a town meeting."

Originally the renovations were limited mostly to new siding and the

correction of draining problems which caused flooding inside the building.

Later town officials expanded the scope of the project by adding a pitched

roof and new windows that would be more in keeping with the historic character

of Main Street. A small addition would be created by enclosing the existing

parking ramp and an open space beneath it.

Town officials decided last year that building and code renovations were

needed because the leaking roof, deteriorating siding and periodic flooding

had damaged town records and were creating an eyesore on Main Street. A

committee made up of First Selectman Bob Cascella, Public Works Director Fred

Hurley and Legislative Council members Win Ballard and Joe Borst have been

overseeing the planning. John Madzula of Newtown is the architect.