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Manchester Library closed until professional remediation after elevated mold findings, county board votes
Summary
The Coffee County Board of Commissioners voted March 5 to close the Manchester Library immediately after an environmental report found elevated mold-spore levels; the board directed staff to obtain three remediation quotes and to require a professional clearance before reopening.
The Coffee County Board of Commissioners voted on March 5 to close the Manchester Library until professional remediation is completed and an independent clearance test confirms the building is safe.
Polly, the Manchester Library director, told commissioners the library paid $2,700 for IAQ/TN swab testing that showed "an elevated level of mold spores" and recommended HVAC cleaning and containment of affected areas. She asked the board to ‘‘explore’’ HVAC cleaning and to move quickly because staff and patrons have reported respiratory symptoms.
Maintenance staff said crews have removed damaged sheetrock and addressed flashing and some roof leaks but that parts of the building are difficult to reach without a lift. The maintenance representative warned that correcting some issues will require professional services and said he had installed a temporary containment zipper wall around a small corner to limit spread.
A board member moved to close the Manchester Library "until this has been rectified by the recommendations of the testing" and to require a "clean bill of health" from an industry standard clearance before reopening; Miss Reed seconded the motion. The board approved the closure by voice vote.
During debate commissioners raised liability concerns and directed staff to obtain three independent remediation quotes before the next steps, to check whether county insurance will cover remediation costs, and to coordinate any emergency spending with budget/finance or a mayoral emergency declaration if needed. Maintenance was asked to lead the procurement of quotes and to report back; no specific funding source was committed at the meeting.
Library staff asked how employees would be compensated while the building is closed; the board said personnel and payroll questions fall outside the closure motion and need coordination with the library board and human-resources processes.
The board also instructed staff to post closure notices at the courthouse and on appropriate channels. Reopening will require completion of remediation work and an independent clearance that the building is safe for staff and the public.
