Mould and moisture problems at the township’s municipal office are expected to require extensive remediation work.
The results of an indoor environmental assessment by Haverkate Environmental Consultants were presented to Mapleton council on March 5.
The report notes that while the facility “appeared to be in a good state of repair and was kept clean,” water damage was observed in several areas, including ceiling tiles, drywall and window sills on the main floor, which houses office space and the council chamber.
While no mould growth was observed on the main floor, mould was observed on drywall in several areas of the basement.
“A musty odour was observed in the basement and main floor entrance,” the report notes.
Testing indicated a “source for mould growth in the basement which requires remediation,” states the report, which also indicates west and north walls in the basement “show active water penetration which should be addressed via foundation waterproofing.”
The report recommends the basement should be placed under “pressurized containment” to facilitate opening of walls for cleaning and mould removal.
Despite the mould issues, the report indicates the indoor air quality in the building “appeared to be quite good.
“Mould spore levels in the air indoors on the main floor were normal and not considered a health issue at this time.”
However, mould spore levels in the basement were “slightly elevated.”
Councillor Neil Driscoll noted the township had budgeted for some remediation work on the building in 2012 and inquired what was done.
Public works director Larry Lynch explained staff had attempted to address the problem in “the most cost-effective manner” and fix the moisture problems from the inside wall.
“That obviously didn’t work,” he pointed out, adding that the budgeted amount would not have covered a major project like digging out around the foundation and waterproofing from the outside which now appears necessary.
Lynch said staff have only been able to “look at the bigger envelope of the problem,” in the past month after meeting with staff from R. J. Burnside engineering. The engineers are digging test holes around the building to gain further information on the water infiltration problems.
“How do we budget for this? Is it a 2014 event?” asked Driscoll, adding, “The work should start as soon as possible.”
Mayor Bruce Whale replied the township might be able to divert funds set aside for river dredging through Drayton, if the Grand River Conservation Authority is successful in receiving provincial funding for the work. The township has $50,000 in reserves for the river dredging project.
“If it’s $100,000 or $200,000, we may have to look at debenturing it if we don’t want to put it on the taxes all at once,” the mayor suggested.
CAO Patty Sinnamon pointed out the township may have to look at replacing some windows and other preventative measures in order to ensure the problem does not reoccur.
“At this point, we have to look at an all-encompassing project,” she said. “The building is 22 years old. It’s like your home – you have to keep it up.”
Driscoll commented that the moisture issues with the building have been a long-standing problem at the former Peel Township office building.
“It’s just unfortunate that it’s taken 14 years to take this action and now you, Patty and Larry, have to clean it up,” he said.
Council accepted the consultant’s report and a report from Sinnamon for information.
“Once we have the report from the R. J. Burnside on the water issues, a proposed course of action and timing for the removal of the mould will be brought forward,” Sinnamon stated in her report.
