WILTON — The Board of Selectpersons voted unanimously Tuesday to approve hiring Acadia Contractors of Turner for asbestos and mold removal at a house at 30 Webb Ave.
The board declared the house a dangerous building this past summer. Last month, it approved a bid of $5,650 from Taylor Made Homes to demolish the house because the owner failed to take action.
Additionally, $8,975 is needed for asbestos abatement and $2,190 for removal of trash and items. With legal fees and disposal of building materials, the total cost is nearing $20,000, Town Manager Rhonda Irish said.
Tests show 1,200 square feet of asbestos tiles on the roof and others in a pile on the property, she said. There is another 300 square feet of asbestos in flooring in some areas of the house, including the kitchen and bathrooms.
Neighbors voiced concerns about mold in the house. The house began to deteriorate after a tree fell through the roof, allowing moisture and wildlife to get inside.
The house has only been used for storage over the past four years. Some trash and household items have to be removed.
The costs are being paid from the town’s demolition fund that has $100,000 in it, Irish said.
Some board members questioned using money needed for demolition of the former Forster Manufacturing building.
At town meeting, voters approved the fund for demolition, including the Forster building, Irish said.
The costs for the town to demolish the house at 30 Webb Ave. will be added to the property tax bill. If the taxes are not paid, the town will sell the property, she said.
“We told taxpayers we would move on this if the homeowner did not,” board Chairwoman Tiffany Maiuri said.
“But we didn’t tell the taxpayer we would pay $20,000,” Selectman Jeff Rowe, said.
Board members agreed they would rather put the funds toward demolition of the mill, but they had to take care of the house too.
Selectperson Ruth Cushman moved to sign the contract with Acadia Contractors, saying she was making it “reluctantly and only because we have to.”
abryant@sunmediagroup.net
Send questions/comments to the editors.
