Mold Causes Problems for Mercer Co. Town

October 22, 2005

October 21, 2005

Philadelphia,PA

Potentially dangerous black mold is causing some big problems for

one town in Mercer County prompting the temporary closing of the

municipal building in Washington Township.

Public works crews have spent the last few days moving desks, file

cabinets, computers and records out of Washington Township's

municipal building on Route 130.

" This popped out of the wall during the course of the weekend. "

That's because of a growing mold problem. Tests have found a mold

called aspergillus-penicillium in several areas of the building,

which was built in 1920.

Caffrey/TOWNSHIP ADMINISTRATOR: " It's definitely a potential

health risk. It's not the kind of thing you want somebody sitting in

everyday. "

In addition to difficulties with the ventilation system, the

building has had water problems for years made worse by all the

rainy weather.

Terry Rinyu/Custodian: " When it rains, the administrator's office

down there - it leaks and the floor gets wet and it smells to high

heaven in there. "

Michele Auletta/Township Clerk: " Our rugs were starting to turn

different colors which I assume was mold and the downstairs

administrator's office really did smell bad. "

Workers say they're glad to get out of the moldy building.

Ann Bell/Engineer's Assistant: " I don't want it to affect me. I

don't want it to affect my coworkers and the type of work we

produce. "

The town administrator says some of the highest mold concentrations

were found behind a wall in her office that looks perfectly fine to

the naked eye.

Employees have been packing and moving hundreds of boxes and records

as different offices are moved to temporary locations elsewhere. The

police substation on Washington Boulevard is the new home of the

clerk and the tax collector.

Janice /Tax Collector: " It's going pretty smoothly really.

Everybody's kind of going going going and it's all getting done. "

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