HomeMy WebLinkAboutMiscellaneous - Exception (81)Town of North Andover — Health Department
COMPLAINT FORM
Lrry i Ma system is aown for complamt entries. 1 jus is the attemative system when that is down.
DATE: Friday, June 30, 2006
Time of Reyori: 11:10 a nL Report taken bx: Pamela DelleChiaie
Copy of Report: Susan Sawyer, Health Director; Tim Willett, DPW
TYPE OF COMPLAINT: Housing/Water Drainage Issues
COMPLAINTANT NAME: Ralph Griswold
ADDRESS: 14 Davis Street (Corner of Main/Davis — other side of Marblehead, per h/o)
PHONE: 978.685.2614
COMPLAINT AGAINST: DPW/Health
ADDRESS: Same
PHONE: Same
COMPLAINT:
Mr. Griswold called, (978)685.2614, very upset over drainage issues that he feels has
become a health issue. This has been ongoing for the past couple of years. He states that
the Town is not maintaining drainage lines, and storm drains are plugged up around his
home.
DPW was there one or two years ago, and could not find the stoppage. There is now a sink
hole in the street 3 feet deep. Caller called U.S. EPA as he knows DPW needs a permit to
dump storm water out of the system. No one can produce it. His basement remains damp,
and the sump pump operates all the time. Water now comes through the foundation, as the
whole aquaphor has changed due to the drainage problems. He pumps out his basement
into the driveway.
Caller very upset, and is demanding that the drainage lines be fixed next week, and wants
someone there next week. His wife has cancer, as have other residents in that
neighborhood and he is attributing it to improper storm water drainage, and water seeping
into surrounding homes.
I asked caller if he had any past requests/work completion results in writing, and he stated
no. I told him this is the first I have heard of it, and that I would forward to the Health
Director and DPW so it is documented from this point on. Caller stated that the Town
Manager should know about this problem, and he will speak about it at next Town meeting
that no one has done anything to date.
ACTION:
DelleChiaie, Pamela
From:
Willis, Gene
Sent:
Wednesday, July 05, 2006 11:45 AM
To:
DelleChiaie, Pamela
Cc:
Sawyer, Susan
Subject:
Griswold COMPLAINT 14 DAVIS ST.
I met w/ Mr. Griswold this AM. I reviewed the drainage in the street and
gave him a copy of the drainage plan. I advised him that I did not
believe his wet basement was a function of town drainage but rather site
specific conditions on his lot i.e. depression around foundation
trapping water instead of shedding it away from his home.
Eugene P. Willis P.E.
Director of Engineering
North Andover DPW
1
DelleChiaie, Pamela
From:
Willis, Gene
Sent:
Wednesday, July 05, 2006 11:45 AM
To:
DelleChiaie, Pamela
Cc:
Sawyer, Susan
Subject:
Griswold COMPLAINT 14 DAVIS ST.
I met w/ Mr. Griswold this AM. I reviewed the drainage in the street and
gave him a copy of the drainage plan. I advised him that I did not
believe his wet basement was a function of town drainage but rather site
specific conditions on his lot i.e. depression around foundation
trapping water instead of shedding it away from his home.
Eugene P. Willis P.E.
Director of Engineering
North Andover DPW
1
�TO 4001
Date.
TOWN OF NORTH ANDOVER
PERMIT FOR PLUMBING
This certifies that ...i�.. )... r,
has permission to perform ..., ........................
plumbing in the buildings of . ,��.s..c:..� .i: . . ................
at. . T>,,'q V I ..c ............ ...... North Andover, Mass.
Fee. �i ..... Lic. No. U3 C .....
PLUMBING INSPECTOR
WHITE: Applicant CANARY: Building Dept. PINK: Treasurer
MASSACHUSETTS UNIFORM APPLICATION FOR PERMIT TO DO PLUMBING
(Type or print)
NORTH ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS
` ( Date (( �� /}/] ( /
Building Location / l Dit U l Owners Name ��1t S GV ` �` Permit # �-T v v /
Amount /� G
Type of Occupancy
New Renovation El Replacement 0 Plans Submitted Yes No
FIXTURES
(Print or type)
Installing Company Name /�GLrGe� 1
Address 5D )YO
A, 4tj u -P2 --L-E- --t < G e f, `% V
Check one: Certificate
❑ Corp.
F1 Partner.
Firm/Co.
Name of Licensed Plumber: nj (// -5 e,,W --,o—
Insurance Coverage: Indicate the type of insurance coverage by checking the appropriate box:
Liability insurance policy �'' Other type of indemnity ❑ Bond ❑
Insurance Waiver: I, the undersigned, have been made aware that the licensee of this application does not have any one of the above
three insurance
Signature Owner Agent
I hereby certify that all of the details and information I have submitted (or entered) in above application are true and accurate to the
best of my knowledge and that all plumbing work and instal pe ed under it Issue for thi pplication will be in
compliance with all pertinent provisions of the Massachus"' tate u g Codrd Chapt 142 a General Laws.
By: Ignalure lcense um er
e of Plumbing License
Title 3
City/Town cense um er Master D--Ioumeyman ❑
APPROVED (OFFICE USE ONLY
•
•
(Print or type)
Installing Company Name /�GLrGe� 1
Address 5D )YO
A, 4tj u -P2 --L-E- --t < G e f, `% V
Check one: Certificate
❑ Corp.
F1 Partner.
Firm/Co.
Name of Licensed Plumber: nj (// -5 e,,W --,o—
Insurance Coverage: Indicate the type of insurance coverage by checking the appropriate box:
Liability insurance policy �'' Other type of indemnity ❑ Bond ❑
Insurance Waiver: I, the undersigned, have been made aware that the licensee of this application does not have any one of the above
three insurance
Signature Owner Agent
I hereby certify that all of the details and information I have submitted (or entered) in above application are true and accurate to the
best of my knowledge and that all plumbing work and instal pe ed under it Issue for thi pplication will be in
compliance with all pertinent provisions of the Massachus"' tate u g Codrd Chapt 142 a General Laws.
By: Ignalure lcense um er
e of Plumbing License
Title 3
City/Town cense um er Master D--Ioumeyman ❑
APPROVED (OFFICE USE ONLY
a t?
��r' o �•�a � md
PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Community Development Division
June 30, 2006
Ralph Griswold
,/Y4 Davis Street
North Andover, MA 01845
Dear Mr. Griswold,
This correspondence is in regard to your verbal complaint made to the North Andover Health
Department on June 30, 2006, As you have described, it appears that you clearly have a water
problem in your home that may be a health issue to your family. Currently, the Health
Department does not have any regulation that set standards for this type of issue occurring in
private homes, nor do we have any related enforcement power that could assist you. However,
out of concern for the health of your family I am providing you with common remedies that we
recommended to those many N. Andover residents that have recently been affected by the
serious May flooding and often to homeowners such as yourself. Frequent cleaning of the damp
areas with a very mild bleach solution and the use of a dehumidifier are very effective in keeping
the mold issues down while you work on the structural issues you mentioned.
If you are experiencing illness relating to your allergies to the mold or other issues, as always,
the Health Department recommends that you seek the advice of your physician. My office has
forwarded your complaint to Mr. Tim Willett at the N. Andover Department of Public Works. It
is highly recommended you place your issues in writing to the DPW as well.
Sincerer
Swan Sawyer, RS HS
Public Health Director
1600 Osgood Street, North Andover, Massachusetts 01845
Phone 978.688.9540 Fax 978.688.8476 Web www.townofnorthandover.com
t
/ Prewntion dips
Steps to Mold Clean-(.lp
i%lold Cle,3n lip
Protecting Your Health During Toxic Slack Mold Clean -Up
Background Info
on i told
Cleaning Mold in the HVAC System
HealUl Efl`Qcts
X)out Different
0f Mold
.steps to Mold Clean -Up
Humidity Sensor
Buying Guide
About FBMIC
Note: See "Finding Mold" for tips on where to look for mold.
Mold Test Review
1. Resolve Moisture Problem
Additional i%,lold
Resources
Most importantly, the source of the water accumulation must be
identified and fixed or fungal
growth will continue to occur. If you
have a high relative humidity in a room
or area (55% or higher),
then you should strongly consider a dehumidifier. To determine the
relative humidity, you will need a relative humidity sensor, also
known as a moisture meter or hygrometer
(Relative Humidity
Sensor Buying. Guide).
If you experienced severe flooding or a water leak, then you want to
remove or pump out the standing
water, followed by drying the
area. If the area is really wet, you will want to use fans and
dehumidifiers (What to look for in a dehumidifier). You may also
want to move wet items
away from walls and off floors.
The quicker you address the problem, the less extensive the
damage will be since it may only take
24-48 hours for toxic mold to
germinate and grow. Prompt remediation of contaminated
areas and
materials should be the primary response to water intrusion and
indoor fungal growth.
Finding Mold Growth
Preventing Mold Problems
2. Minimize Dust and Seal Off Area (Negative
Pressure)
Before you begin cleaning and removing the MULTI
mold, it is critical to make
sure that you take CH
measures to prevent the mold sporesl..4L`��'�`
from spreading to other areas of the house
AIR PURIFIER
or building. Since mold spores will likely be stirred, becoming
airborne during the cleaning process, you need to properly Cor
each area being cleaned, while also minimizing dust (a primary
means of transportation for mold spores).
Containment:
Each room or area should be cleaned separately, one at a
time. Before cleaning each room or area, you should seal it of
best as you can. This will prevent the mold from dissemina
to other areas of the home or building while it is being cleaned
since cleaning can disturb and stir up the mold, causing mold s
to become airborne.
Once they become airborne, they can spread to other area,
germinate and colonize, unless the area being cleaned is
properly sealed. See Cleaning the Mold to find out how to av
stirring the mold as it is being cleaned.
Properly sealing (or containment) of a room or area consi;
using plastic sheeting sealed with duct tape to cover doorways
vents, and other openings to occupied areas of the home or
building.
If possible, you should place an exhaust fan next to an open
partially open) door or window that is open to the outdoors. Th
create negative air pressure, which will_ direct air flow outsid
and therefore mold spores that have been stirred during cleani
will also be channeled outside. Just make sure the door or w
is not near an air exchange that brings outdoor air into the hor
You should also turn off the HVAC system before cleaning rr
'Minim,izinq Dust:
Maintain dust levels as low as possible during cleaning to previ
spores from be airborne and spread to other areas. This
reduce the risk of exposure for those who are cleaning while
reducing the potential for the mold spores landing and germinj
in other parts of the home or building.
You may want to use an air purifier to minimize the airborne
particulate, which allows mold spores to disperse to other area
the home or building.
Ionizers are typically better than air filters, since they can rer
smaller particles from the air, and do not rely on particulate pa
through them in order to remove them from the air.
Air Ionizer Buying Guide
I Cleaning the Mold
If the surface(s) you are cleaning are dry, or Mostly dr
you s
lightly mist them with water before cleaning the mold. If th,
mold is too dry, then the mold spores will have a much better
chance of becoming airborne while being disturbed during the
cleaning process.
Once the surface is lightly misted (if necessary), then clean &
affected area(s) with soap to remove as much of the mold as
Possible, and then apply a disinfectant to kill mold spores
are left behind (Review of Mold Disinfectants). Thoroughly clea
surfaces in the area that contain visible mold, and even surfao
that do not have visible mold, since mold spores are micron
very durable, and can remain dormant for months or even ye
Once a surface has been cleaned and disinfected, it should be
completely dried.
In which case, if mold spores are left behind, and are introdw
to moisture again in the future, then you will have another
significant mold growth problem on your hands.
Non -porous material such as metals, glass, hard plastics, ar
semi -porous materials include wood, concrete, etc, that are
structurally sound with some visible mold growth may be clear
and reused.
If the contamination is not. too severe, porous material may
cleaned and reused. If the damage is extensive and the mold
growth has visibly destroyed porous items beyond repair, thi
may need to be removed and replaced. Examples of porous
materials are ceiling tiles, insulation, wallboards, carpet, soft
furnishings, clothes, papers/books, etc.
All material that has been cleaned should be completely dry ar
visibly free of mold before it is reused and before sensitive
individuals are exposed to it.
The X7-3000C.Air Ionizer will help to clean the mold with the
light and the added ionization can help to neutralize the mold.
hepa filter will also catch mold spores.
Review of Mold Disinfectants
4. Remove the Mold
Carefully remove and discard mold and mold -infested materi
into heavy-duty plastic bags. Do not transport the bags
throughout the house, especially other clean areas. Doing so w
risk further spreading and regerminating of the mold.
Instead, it is a good idea to get the bags outside through a
window or other opening accessible to the room/area being
cleaned, if possible. These bags with the mold contaminated
material.; ran ha taken to anv lanrifm