Council to stay out of THA mold issue

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Council to stay out of THA mold issue

O Connor

Thursday, October 20, 2005

North Tonawanda,NY

http://www.tonawanda-news.com/story.asp?id=3664

The City of Tonawanda Common Council should not help resolve the

Tonawanda Housing Authority's escalating mold issues, according to

Common Council President Carleton Zeisz.

" It's not city business, " he said. " It's not a city issue. "

The authority is not operated by the city — it is run under the

auspices of New York state, which provides the authority a small

amount of funding. The city has no control over the day-to-day

operations of the authority.

The city is responsible, however, if the authority begins operating

in debt, which it currently isn't.

Mayor Jack Gallagher, however, hoped the Council might help

facilitate a solution, considering those affected by potentially

dangerous mold are city residents.

" I think it's time our administration step in and help with the

dialogue, " Gallagher said. " We need to try to understand the

problem. We have the skills here in the city to help facilitate a

conclusion.

" We're trying to take an approach where we can bring heads together. "

Zeisz and Gallagher presented their views at Tuesday's informal

Common Council meeting. No decision was made Tuesday; it is unclear

whether the mayor's office will attempt to formulate a solution

without the Council.

The mold issue began weeks ago when residents' complaints on Hinds

Street coalesced into a petition urging the authority to look into

mold that was growing primarily along windows and at the base of

walls.

A test of two apartments last week showed high levels of a

potentially dangerous mold called stachybotrys. The authority

decided to move the three closest families to the mold out of their

apartments this week to a safer place.

State representatives have been notified of the problem.

In other news, the Council decided on the projects for next year's

Community Development Block Grant Program.

The grant is federal money divided up amongst counties mainly to

improve infrastructure in municipalities. The city's first choice

for that money is a reconstruction of Fletcher Street between

Wheeler and Hinds streets.

The grants usually come in amounts of $90,000. To improve its

chances of being awarded the grant, the city has pledged 25 percent,

or $30,000, for the project.

The city is usually awarded its first choice every year.

The city's second and third choices are a section of Main Street

between Wheeler Street and the south city line, and new sidewalks

and curbs for parts of Main Street, Virginia Street and Hackett

Drive.

City has pledged 5 percent for those projects. The grants are

awarded in early 2006.

Contact O'Connor at (716) 693-1000, Ext. 115.