Black mold target of City Hall cleanup

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Black mold target of City Hall cleanup

Scranton Times-Tribune - PA*

BY JODY ROSELLE

STAFF WRITER

07/24/2007

http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/news.cfm?

newsid=18619859 & BRD=2185 & PAG=461 & dept_id=416046 & rfi=6

CARBONDALE — Eradication of black mold growing in the basement of

City Hall could begin in early August, Mayor said

Monday.

Bids for mold abatement were opened during a special City Council

meeting Monday, with the lowest coming from Alicon Environmental

Inc. of s Summit at $4,836.05.

" We'll be reviewing the paperwork, and we can probably notify them

at the end of the week, " said Mr. . He could not pinpoint an

exact date for work to start.

" When they start is based on their schedule, but I can see it

starting in two weeks, " he said.

The news comes as a relief to Carbondale police, whose offices are

located on the first floor near the building.

" We're glad to see it happen, " said Sgt. Joe Laguzzi, Carbondale

police union steward. " When you cross that area of the basement, you

can still smell it. "

A visiting official for the city's Department of Public Works union

brought the issue to Sgt. Laguzzi's attention in February while she

was visiting the site. Sgt. Laguzzi attributed the problem to water

that seeped into the basement during the June 2006 flooding. Water

dampened the Sheetrock and mold began to grow.

No city personnel work in the basement, but police use some of the

space for storage.

" It's a health concern, and we want it out of the building, " Sgt.

Laguzzi said. " The next concern is, when they start work, will they

let us stay in the building?

" When they go to clean, will it go airborne. We're here 24 hours a

day, and that's going to be a concern. "

Contact the writer: jroselle@...