Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 14, 1994 TAG: 9404140242
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: E-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
They also have complained that the asbestos was removed at night, disturbing the neighborhood.
The complaints prompted school officials to order the contractor to stop working at night at the school.
The residents said the noise was disturbing their sleep and causing a health hazard.
Patricia Dolezal of 1223 Pechin St. said dust from the asbestos removal filled her house.
Noise from a generator and the workers' hammers and shovels made sleeping difficult, she said.
Dolezal complained to city police about the noise. But no one contacted school officials until last week, said Richard Kelley, assistant superintendent for operations.
Kelley said the asbestos contractor was working at night because there is a tight schedule for the roof replacement and building renovation.
The asbestos contractor has been coordinating work with the roof contractor to speed up the $2.3 million renovation project, Kelley said.
At night, the asbestos was removed from a section of the old roof; the new roof was installed on the same section the next day.
Kelley said school officials did not know that the asbestos was being removed at night. "Once we knew about it, we told them to stop," he said.
But Dolezal disputed Kelley's comments, saying he was told earlier in the week about the asbestos.
She said the asbestos crew came back to work last Thursday after Kelley knew they were working at night.
"I want to know who authorized them to come back and finish the work after [Kelley] knew about it," she said.
She also has complained that the asbestos has not been removed in compliance with state and federal guidelines to prevent a health hazard.
"Can I breathe the air in my house and know that, 10 or 15 years from now, I won't contract lung cancer?" she asked.
"Can the children in the neighborhood breathe the air and know they won't suddenly be diagnosed with childhood leukemia?"
Dolezal said she believes the asbestos was ground up and scattered in the air under the cover of darkness.
But Kelley said the asbestos contractor has complied with regulations to prevent exposure to workers and nearby residents.
The renovation project is scheduled to be finished by summer so the school can reopen in the fall.
by CNB