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Possible asbestos found at West Stockbridge police station; testing ordered, operations moved to Town Hall
Summary
West Stockbridge ordered professional testing after Director of Public Works Curt Wilton identified possible asbestos in the police station. The department is operating from Town Hall; test results are expected tomorrow with remediation possible next week if positive.
An emergency meeting of the West Stockbridge Select Board on Jan. 8, 2026, addressed a possible asbestos discovery at the town police station and the town’s immediate response.
Director of Public Works Curt Wilton told the Board that during a recent walkthrough he noticed removed carpeting and tiles at the Police Department that prompted concerns about asbestos. He said the area of concern "has been contained," that the Town Hall building is "safe to enter," and that he contacted Select Board Chair Andrew Krouss, who instructed him to engage a remediation company and keep the station unoccupied until testing is complete.
Wilton said he arranged for a representative from Abide Company to inspect the police station and take samples; he said test results were expected the following afternoon. "If the results are positive," Wilton said, remediation work could begin next week.
Police Chief Nicole Miller told the Board and the public the department remains operational from Town Hall and that "there have been no service interruptions." She added the Dispatch Center has been notified and remains available and said she hopes officers will be "back in the Station by the end of next week." Miller confirmed that no further work at the station was scheduled at that time.
Town Administrator Marie Ryan and Building Superintendent Frank Alphonso joined Wilton and Miller for the walkthrough that followed an earlier discussion of potential renovations to the station on Jan. 5. Wilton said the temporary relocation places station functions in the Town Hall copy room while tests proceed.
Select Board member Kathleen Keresey moved to adjourn the emergency meeting at 2:17 PM; Toby Casey seconded and the motion passed. The Board said it will await the laboratory results before taking further action.
Next steps: the town awaits the Abide Company test results expected tomorrow afternoon; if asbestos is confirmed, the remediation company can proceed with abatement work next week.
