Published Friday, August 2, 2002
Herald Staff Writer
Four residents of the newly built homes on Woodland Avenue in Wheatland have signed easement agreements that would allow a contractor to build a new water drainage system on their properties.
L. DeWitt Boosel, executive director of Mercer County Housing Authority, would not identify the lone homeowner who has yet to sign.
"We're working through some issues as best we can," he said.
The authority hopes the new drainage system, designed by Hickory Engineering Inc., Hermitage, will solve a water problem on the properties that could be causing mold to grow inside the homes.
The system is to channel water away from the homes.
Hickory received three proposals from contractors interested in performing the work, but a contract has not been awarded, Boosel said.
Once the fifth easement is signed, construction can begin quickly, he said.
"Everything's pretty much ready to go," he said.
Community Homebuyers Inc., a non-profit affiliate of the authority, was developer of the homes, which were built in 2000.
A second firm, Microbac Laboratories, Erie, has been hired to address the mold problem. Boosel said the company is waiting for the drainage system to be completed before making out a remediation plan, he said.
The company wants to make sure the drainage problem is solved before any attempt to remove the mold is initiated.
"If there's still a water issue, they'll have to come back," Boosel said of mold remediation.
Andrew Mason, Microbac's field services supervisor, said the company has had dehumidifiers installed in all the homes, clogged gutters cleared and crushed down spouts fixed.
"Those are Band-Aid steps until the drainage problem is addressed," Mason said, adding that he believes Hickory's plan will work.
Mark Raymond of 45 Woodland said his concerns for his house have gone beyond water and mold.
"My house is splitting in half," he said.
The bathroom is cracking, the kitchen floor has bowed, the doors have dropped and the woodwork is popping off door facings, Raymond said.
"The signs are there -- this house is moving," Raymond said.
Raymond said his insurance company told him his policy does not cover the damage his house has sustained.
Raymond added he is angry at Microbac for sending a letter to his insurance company, stating that there is no toxic mold in his house.
"Stachybotrys is toxic plan and simple," Raymond said.
Stachybotrys Chartarum is a fungus that thrives in wet wallpaper, thermal insulation and other building materials, and can form toxic chemicals called mycotoxins that can be harmful to people when inhaled or ingested, according to botany and legal reference sources.
Aspergillus fungus, which is believed to cause cancer and lung disease, also was found in Raymond's home.
Mason said any such letter would have come from him or his office, but he was not aware that a letter had been sent.
As to the seriousness of the mold that was found, Mason said, "I'm not a toxicologist and I won't answer that question."
You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Joe Pinchot at jpinchot@sharon-herald.com