County Auditor shares concerns over asbestos removal in area where employees work

Barry Fortune
·2 min read

Ashland County Auditor Cindy Funk began the Ashland County commissioners meeting expressing concerns over the ceiling project in Courthouse No. 1 and how it may effect employees near the worksite.

“I am here concerning the asbestos removal from the courtroom,” she said Thursday. “We got a letter Monday morning on our desks that this was going to happen May 9. I have a problem with working while they are moving asbestos. The asbestos removal you have planned is from a Tuesday to a Friday. My question is, why can’t we do it over a weekend?”

She went on to talk about concerns dealing with employees working and the public also in the building at that time.

“I know they are supposed to seal it off,” she said. “It concerns me and it concerns my employees that the dust is still going to be there and we are going to be working in it. I just feel it should be done during non-working hours.”

The Ashland County Courthouse is seen here on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022. TOM E. PUSKAR/TIMES-GAZETTE.COM
The Ashland County Courthouse is seen here on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022. TOM E. PUSKAR/TIMES-GAZETTE.COM

“I understand your concerns,” said Commissioner Mike Welch.

“One of the reasons is financial,” added Commissioner Denny Bittle. “The savings by doing it during the week instead of paying overtime and double time. We will definitely address that. They have assured us there would be no dust coming out of that room. That is definitely a concern and we will take a look at it.”

Other action commissioners:

  • Concurred with the appointments of Tony Shambaugh and Joel Schweyer to the Driver’s Eligibility Guidelines Review Committee.

  • Entered into a contract with Asphalt Materials for liquid asphalt for the 2024 construction season.

  • Authorized the addition of Pharmacy Benefit Managers as defendants in the ongoing opioid lawsuits.

  • Authorized a release of mortgage for the CHIP program for the Charles E. Lee for property, 124 Sunset Drive.

Commissioners will meet 9 a.m. Thursday in the Commissioner’s Conference Room on the second floor of the County Office Building. The meetings are open to the public,. They are live-streamed on the Ashland County Government Facebook page.

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Ashland courthouse employees concerned about asbestos removal dust