Looking for answers on Pulaski School flooding

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YOUR VIEW: Looking for answers on Pulaski School flooding

SouthCoastToday.com - New Bedford,MA*

By HEATHER DEROSIER

Derosier lives in New Bedford.

August 14, 2008

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?

AID=/20080814/OPINION/808140329/-1/NEWS01

As mayor and chairman ex officio of the School Committee, New

Bedford Mayor Lang has been provided factual information that

includes video of testimony that is on public record, photos, EPA

documents, and video of actual events related to the interior

flooding of the Pulaski School.

It is fact that Pulaski School was flooded by unclean water. It is

fact that there is a direct impact on health and learning abilities

in moisture-impacted schools. It is a fact that Pulaski School

continues to flood.

Whereas my child, as well as many others, will be attending the

Pulaski School in a short few weeks, I would request that for my own

and the public interest and peace of mind, Mayor Lang clarify with

facts that the Pulaski School is being taken care of.

He should answer the following questions so that the faculty,

parents and I know for a fact that we are sending our children into

an environment that is safe, clean and healthy.

If testing of air quality and mold have been completed related to

the interior flooding of the Pulaski School, when? What type of

testing? By whom? What are the results?

If testing of air quality and mold have not been completed, when

will it be? What type of testing? By whom? What is the anticipated

date of results?

What plan has been put in place to prevent further flooding of the

interior of Pulaski School? By whom? Construction schedule? Date of

completion?

What are the approved modifications to the detention basin effecting

flooding at Pulaski School? Construction schedule? Date of

completion?

Regarding the flood water clean up at Pulaski School not

deemed " clean " by EPA standards, when did the clean ups occur? By

whom? What procedure and process was taken for the clean up? What

follow-up to the cleaning process was there?

Regarding the standing water in close proximity to the school

(detention pond and catch basins), who is applying mosquito

treatment to the water? What is the current treatment schedule?

If it is not being treated, what plan has been implemented in

regards to outdoor activities at the Pulaski School?

While there are other issues at Pulaski School, the answers to these

questions would ensure that our children's immediate health and

safety have been addressed in an appropriate and timely manner. I do

not feel that the answers to these questions are unreasonable. They

will go a long way toward ensuring the community that the situation

is being taken care of.

I look forward to Mayor Lang's response.