Mold Disrupts NL Dispatch Center

November 1, 2005

Dispatchers Moved To Another Room; Plans Under Way To Fix Roof

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By ETHAN ROUEN

Day Staff Writer, Police/Fire Reporter

Published on 11/1/2005

New London,CT

New London — Mold has infested the communications center in the New

London Police Department, possibly delaying a planned update of the

center and endangering the air quality of the entire building.

Spores were discovered Oct. 26 while workers were tearing apart the

center's walls to rebuild it. Work on the center has stopped, and

the room, which houses dispatchers, can no longer be entered without

wearing a respirator.

Dispatchers were moved to an adjacent room that has a rain gutter

running through it to catch leaks, raising concerns that the

recently discovered gray fungus is just the beginning of the problem.

" From the top floor to the basement, there are significant leaks, "

said Lt. Chip Segar, president of the police officers' union, of the

building. " For some time, we have suspected that the building has

had some sick building syndrome. "

He said there have been many reports of allergies and sinus

illnesses from dispatchers and officers who work in the room.

Police Chief Bruce Rinehart said the department was planning to

replace all the radio equipment in the center within 30 days, but

that goal may no longer be possible. Vendors from several companies

are working to update communications equipment, he said.

Ed Steward, the city's public works director, said Ledge Light

Health District has been evaluating the damage, and Mystic Air

Quality will come in to test the building.

" Right now, we're trying to encapsulate and control it, " Steward

said. " We need to find out how extensive the damage is so we can

formulate a plan. "

Today, he said he will be attending a pre-bid conference to discuss

putting a new roof on the building.

e.rouen@...

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