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Gardner officials restrict two‑story wing at Waterford Community Center after DEP finds disturbed asbestos material
Summary
City officials told the Gardner Board of Health that DEP testing found previously disturbed asbestos containing material (ACM) in the two‑story wing of the Waterford Community Center; staff and the mayor outlined a nontraditional work plan and a proposed full remediation of floors and ceilings in that wing.
The Gardner Board of Health heard an update on the Waterford Community Center after DEP sampling identified previously disturbed asbestos‑containing material in the building’s two‑story wing.
Lauren, the health department presenter, said DEP conducted a walkthrough on May 21 and samples were sent to an outside lab; the office received DEP’s report on May 29 and restricted access to the two‑story portion of the building at Waterford Street after confirming disturbed ACM. Mayor Nicholson told the board a contractor installing mini‑split HVAC units had drilled into floor and ceiling tiles that contained asbestos, which prompted DEP’s inspection and the restriction of the affected area.
Mayor Nicholson said the city will prepare a DEP‑approved nontraditional work plan and the building commissioner is arranging a contractor to perform the cleaning and abatement required to clear the area for future use. He said staff submitted to the city council a plan for a full remediation of the two‑story wing that would remove and replace floors and ceilings on the first floor and leave the second floor closed and exposed pending work; the second floor is not planned for public use because it lacks elevator access.
Department staff emphasized that other tenant spaces in the building have previously received proper asbestos abatement and can continue operations. The mayor and staff named Broadway Place and the Gardner CAC as tenants moving forward with their plans, and said GED TV is relocating to the former art room after confirmatory checks found no disturbance there. The department will continue to coordinate with DEP and said it will keep the board informed as remediation plans and contractor scheduling proceed.
Board members asked whether the remediation would completely remove ACM and staff replied the work plan is intended to fully remediate the identified disturbances and prevent future exposure. The mayor added that asbestos is present in many older city buildings and that change orders and remediation projects are currently before the city council for other sites.
