More Lincoln Park Residents Come Forward

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More Lincoln Park Residents Come Forward: Safety, health concerns

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By Amy Renczkowski

Published on 9/2/2005

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Preston - As the Preston Housing Authority is working to fix

problems at Lincoln Park, more residents at the low-income/elderly

housing complex are coming forward with concerns about the mold and

mildew inside the apartments.

Jane , 57, said that after just six months of living at

Lincoln Park, the conditions at the complex have made her health

condition worse.

claimed to have been seriously injured in an accident which

left her with fibromyalgia syndrome (a rheumatoid disorder of the

muscles and bones) and arthritis. To battle the pain, she takes

extra-strength Tylenol.

In April she said she started with severe bronchitis due to the mold

and mildew at the apartment. Because of the pain, she said she takes

strong pain medication and can barely go outside.

" I never had respiratory problems until I came here, "

said. " I couldn't catch my breath at times. "

She also said the mold and mildew have ruined her belongings,

including a sofa and loveseat, clothes and other possessions.

" When I came here on a Greyhound bus in March, I had my wheelchair,

my dog and a suitcase. I had to buy everything here. Now, I have to

do it all over again, " said.

runs three fans in her apartment and keeps her windows open.

She said the problems at Lincoln Park could be alleviated with an

air conditioner.

" Fans circulate the air and take care of the drops on the floor but

it puts moisture back in the air and makes things more humid. Air

conditioning would work, " said.

The Preston Housing Authority approved a motion to install two

ceiling fans in the four apartments for tenants with breathing

problems. Also, Goss, temporary chairman of the Housing

Authority, said he met with a contractor recently and is working on

installing vents outside the apartments to take out the moisture.

" I want to get to the bottom of this, " Goss said in an earlier

interview. " We're going to fix them (the apartments); it has to be

done. "

Albert Gosselin, director of the Connecticut Department of Health,

visited Lincoln Park resident Getty's apartment recently after

complaints of mold, mildew and dampness.

" I've been out there (at Lincoln Park) before with similar

complaints, " Gosselin said.

Gosselin said the problems the residents face are due to the slab-

type construction of the apartments.

" It's bad construction compared to today's standards, " Goss said.

Gosselin said fans would alleviate some of the humidity but the

ventilation was poor in Getty's apartment.

also claims that Lincoln Park isn't equipped for seniors

with disabilities. Because of her wheelchair, she uses a ramp to get

in and out of her apartment. The apartments at Lincoln Park have two

doors to exit, and 's apartment has one wheelchair ramp.

" If there was a fire in my apartment (by the side without the ramp),

I could not get out because I wouldn't be able to drive my

wheelchair out, " said.

Goss, the Housing Authority official, said the distance from the

step to the ground is four inches.

Groton Senior Center Director Jo Riley said that most

wheelchairs won't be able to go over a step of more than three

inches. The Americans with Disabilities Act states that a wheelchair

ramp is required for a step that is over three inches, according to

Riley.

Goss said the board is in the process of installing new patios

outside of the apartments. Once completed, all the apartments will

be handicap-equipped.

also had concerns about the transportation that is available

to Lincoln Park residents.

" It's never available when I need to go, " said, adding that

it makes things almost impossible to go to a doctor's appointment or

to drop her off at college to take classes.

Goss said the transportation is provided by the town, not the

Housing Authority. Additionally there is a woman who runs a van to

Lincoln Park " out of the goodness of her heart, " Goss said.

Carole Blodgett, 55, also is having breathing problems at Lincoln

Park and says it's caused by the living conditions.

" I can't breathe with the mold, " Blodgett said, adding that last

winter she had numerous sinus infections and currently takes

respiratory medication and uses inhalers.

" It doesn't help living here, " Blodgett said.

Hilda Holliday, 62, resided at Lincoln Park for seven years, leaving

this past January to live at the AHEPA complex in Norwich. She also

had problems with mold and mildew at her apartment 4B. Holliday said

she addressed her concerns to the Housing Authority and the fire

department about the mold, mildew and second-hand smoke coming into

her apartment.

" I didn't know what was going on, " Holliday said. " I thought my

apartment was on fire. "

After several attempts to have items fixed in her apartment or the

conditions changed, Holliday said her solution was to go to the

Board of Selectmen and First Selectman Congdon.

" It was so sad that everything done had a fight involved, " Holliday

said. " Nothing ever got fixed (by the Housing Authority), the

conditions were so bad... you bring a problem in front of the board

and there are months and months of discussion without anything ever

getting done. "

Holliday said her carpet was " soaking wet " from the moisture. After

complaints to Congdon, Holliday said the maintenance department

ripped the carpet out and the floor was re-tiled.

Although Holliday had no severe medical conditions, she said she did

have breathing problems from the second-hand smoking coming into her

apartment.

" I don't think anyone's health is getting better by living there (at

Lincoln Park), " Holliday said. " I was scared to go into my

apartment, the smoke was so bad. "

She said it took her about a year to be accepted into another

housing complex. Now living at the AHEPA complex, Holliday said

she's extremely happy. The new sound-proof and fire-proof facility

offers ample closet space, ceiling fans, a garbage disposal and a

large living area.

" I'm glad I got out, I couldn't stay there anymore, " Holliday

said. " You see the flowers outside and it looks beautiful. But open

the doors and it's horrible inside. "

ITAL:

The Housing Authority will meet Wednesday, Sept. 7, at 7:30 p.m. The

public is invited to attend. For more information, call Fran Minor

at (860) 889-6954.