Mayor worries fungus among Nazareth staff

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Mayor worries fungus among Nazareth staff

03/29/02

By WAYNE FISHMAN

The Express-Times

NAZARETH - Controversy erupted into shouts Thursday night as council debated

what to do about a possible air quality problem in the borough's municipal

building at 30 Belvidere St. The building houses the police department and

other borough employees. About 20 people work there.

Mayor Earl Keller said the building has long been plagued by moisture. He

described incidents of rainwater leaking through the roof and running down

walls and noted that his concerns stem from the same troubles faced by the

Nazareth Area School District five years ago.

In 1997, dangerous stachybotrys chartarum fungus and other mold and bacteria

were discovered in the district's high school and middle school, leading to

a multimillion dollar cleanup bill. The district's problem was attributed to

moisture.

Keller said he is concerned about the safety of borough employees.

At its March 4 meeting, council unanimously passed a motion to contract with

Health One Source Services to evaluate air quality at the municipal

building. At that time, council authorized an expenditure of up to $2,500,

but Health One Source's bid came in at $2,600.

Council President Chiavaroli said council would have to pass another

motion authorizing the additional money if it wants to hire Health One

Source.

Thursday's controversy developed after Councilman Kim Kromer, chairman of

the borough's ecology committee, told council he planned to conduct an air

quality test of the building this weekend using a home testing kit. The

controversy centered on how to interpret the results of such a test.

Kromer said he intended the test to be preliminary and not a replacement for

a professionally conducted evaluation. However, other council members

suggested the home test, which would cost about $50, would be good enough.

" I'm not going to spend $2,500 if the test comes up negative, " Councilman

Larry Stoudt said.

Councilwoman Werner said she would be inclined to use the cheaper

home test, even in her own home.

Keller said that while he does not object to Kromer performing the home

test, he would be unsatisfied with the results of such a test. He said it

isn't clear what the home test would be measuring and that a professional

company would do a more thorough job.

At one point, as voices started to rise, it appeared council would forego

this weekend's test.

In the end, however, council agreed to Kromer's home test, but instructed

borough Engineer Keller to pursue further bids for a professional

test.

The issue will come before council again at its May meeting.