Southampton must now deal with leaks and mold

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Southampton must now deal with leaks and mold

By ED MOORHOUSE

Burlington County Times

http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/112-08242007-1397268.html

SOUTHAMPTON — The Township Committee has closed the doors to its old

town hall to repair a leaky roof and remove mold from the walls,

something residents say should have been done years ago.

At a public meeting Tuesday, township engineer told the

committee that a mold remediation company found visible signs of

mold along the walls on the first floor of the building, and in the

basement.

said SOS Mold, based in Moscow, Pa., recommended closing the

building to the public for health and safety concerns. Structural

deficiencies in the roof and water leakage in the foundation were

also discovered.

The 123-year-old building on Plum Street in the own village

section of the township was home to Southampton's municipal services

until 1980, when the new municipal building opened on Retreat Road.

" I'm not sure we were ever notified that the building was in that

condition, " Committeeman said Tuesday. " The whole wall

in the hallway as you walk up the stairs is black. It's all mold.

That didn't just start. It's been there. "

Bob Ritter, vice president of the township's historical society,

said society members had told the committee previously about the

mold.

" That roof was leaking two years ago, " Committeeman C. Edman Budd

said. " We never did anything about it and it's just terrible.

Something's got to be done. "

The Township Committee asked to assess the damage and come up

with an estimate for repairs by the Sept. 4 workshop meeting. At

that time, the committee could vote to go out to bid on the repairs.

said mold remediation could cost from $7,000 to $8,000.

Repairs to the roof and foundation could cost between $40,000 and

$50,000, he said.

Township officials said they have allotted $30,000 in this year's

budget to make repairs to the building.

Historical society members used the old town hall for monthly

meetings. Last month, Ritter asked the committee if the building

could be used as a museum to showcase the township's historical

artifacts.

" A lot of people are counting on that building, " Ritter said

Tuesday. " We want to know ahead of time whether it will be fixed or

torn down. "

The town hall was also a meeting place for the township recreation

association, a sewing club and a Masonic Lodge.

" I don't understand why something wasn't done sooner, " resident

Dorothy Chappine said. " It is a historical building and we need it. "

E-Mail: ED MOORHOUSE

[Guest guest]

I know the answer!!! Money and stupidity but mostly $$$$$ !

" I don't understand why something wasn't done sooner, " resident

Dorothy Chappine said. " It is a historical building and we need it

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