Mold : Stoughton Fire Station

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Article in the Enterprise online:

Mold to be dealt with at Stoughton fire station

By Allan Stein, Enterprise correspondent

STOUGHTON — Fire Chief Jardin said firefighters may be relocated

into a temporary mobile station as the department works to resolve a

mold problem at headquarters.

" My goal is to have it cost the town zero dollars, because (the

problem) is not our fault, " Jardin said.

Three mold studies have been conducted by the town, the department and

the firefighters union over the past two years. The department study

concluded that the station, built five years ago, was equipped with an

inadequate heating, cooling and ventilation system that has caused the

growth of mold on the ground floor.

Union officials claim the problem has made firefighters sick with

respiratory ailments.

As a health and safety precaution Jardin reassigned firefighters at

headquarters at 1550 Central St. to work at the department substation

on Freeman Street.

The union study recommends that firefighters not be allowed to return

to headquarters until the mold problem is fixed. It said the cost of

repairs and upgrades would not be significant but the town needs to act.

Jardin said the mobile trailer would serve as temporary quarters for

three to five firefighters per shift. The facility will have bunks, a

kitchenette, and dining area, he said.

The rental cost hopefully would be paid by the general contractor

cited in the town's lawsuit, Jardin said.

" It depends on whether or not we have a valid claim, " Town Manager

Mark Stankiewicz said.

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