Safety building, now free of mold, awaits new roof

Air sampling will continue on at least a weekly basis.

NORTH PALM BEACH — The mold is gone at the village’s public safety building, and the old roof is on its way out, too.

After more than a month of work to remove stubborn mold that developed in parts of the building that houses the village’s police department, the all-clear was given Sept. 5, Public Works Director Steven Hallock said.

The mold first was detected in the building’s records division in early August, forcing the closure of that section of the building.

Mold was later discovered in other parts of the building, Hallock said, including the detective bureau, lobby restrooms, staff restrooms, evidence room and the Emergency Operations Center. Those sections were closed as needed.

A leaky roof contributed to the growth of the mold, which can cause a variety of health problems. None were reported because of the mold, Police Chief Rick Jenkins said. Employees in the affected parts of the building were moved out until the mold was remediated.

Parts of the building’s 19-year-old roof have been covered by a blue tarp since early summer, but it will come down as work progresses on a new roof.

The village council awarded a $563,000 contract to West Palm Beachbased Therma Seal Roof Systems last month to remove and replace the building’s roof, and work began last month. It is expected to be complete in late November, Hallock said

“Contractors are tearing off the old roof and blue tarps, replacing any damaged plywood decking, and sealing the plywood decking to eliminate any leakage until the new roof is installed,” Hallock said.

Though the building was declared mold-free by two different mold companies, air samples will continue to be taken at least once a week throughout the re-roofing process, Hallock said.

The mold company will be on standby if water intrusion is discovered, he added.

“They are in constant contact with village staff and the construction contractor,” Hallock said.