Middletown officials schedule City Yard, parks walkthrough after reports of mold, leaks and a failing chiller

Acting Director Bobby Nolf Peterson told the Public Works and Facilities Commission on Aug. 13 that the city had prepared thick packets of facility assessments and would conduct a walk-through of City Yard and parks the following evening.

Peterson said the packet includes initial assessments by Kelly Robinson and Nick LaRosa of City Yard and the parks department, two mold and air-quality reports for the Parks Building, a follow-up assessment by George Battle, a notice of violation from the fire marshal for City Yard, reports by partner ESI, and Landmark’s documentation of critical work to be considered in an upcoming referendum. “I hope that everyone will join us tomorrow for the scheduled walk through,” Peterson said.

The packet accompanies a short-term plan to keep operations running at affected sites: the city has contracted a modular trailer to site at City Yard because a Parks Building remains closed for mold remediation. Peterson said the trailer will be delivered the next morning and hooked to existing septic and electrical so staff can use it for breaks, lunches and limited office work. She said Representative Chaffee helped secure $10,000 this year and $10,000 next year toward the trailer’s cost.

Peterson also reported immediate equipment failures inside City Hall: one of two remaining chiller compressors stopped working and an office temperature reached about 82°F with 64% humidity. She said staff were attempting an in-house repair and would bring in outside vendor B & G Mechanical if needed. “If our system goes down completely, we will have to replace it,” she said, noting the replacement could require bonding or referendum funding.

Mayor (unnamed) and commissioners framed the issue as urgent but pragmatic. The mayor said the goal was not lavish renovation but “a place that is safe and operable and comfortable for our employees,” and emphasized that the city needs both short-term fixes and a longer-term facilities plan. Peterson said staff will pursue state bonding and referendum options and will add quotes and funding estimates to the working documents.

Peterson asked commissioners to collect the packets and attend the City Yard/parks walk-through the next day at 5:30 p.m. The packet and walk-through are intended to give commission members direct visibility into roof leaks, HVAC failures, mold concerns and other maintenance needs that staff say have been accumulating for several years.

The commission did not take a formal vote on funding at the meeting; Peterson said the department is documenting needs, compiling cost estimates (including a $500,000 estimate for a full chiller replacement), and pursuing bonding and legislative support.

The commission is scheduled to tour City Yard and parks facilities the evening after the meeting; staff will deliver follow-up materials and funding estimates to commissioners afterward.