Residents raise asbestos and lead concerns after church demolition work; town discusses enforcement limits

Several residents alerted the board that exterior portions of a church in Stamford were removed during renovation and asked whether state asbestos and lead abatement requirements were followed. A resident asked: "Have they filed a permit?" and raised concern that disturbance of pre-1978 construction materials could release lead or asbestos into the air and affect nearby schoolchildren.

Board members reviewed jurisdictional responsibilities: multiple speakers said the state enforces asbestos and lead rules and that the town’s authority is limited unless a local bylaw requires permits for demolition or renovation work. One board member said the town should direct complaints to the state and, for immediate local action, to the health officer. Others supported considering a future zoning or demolition bylaw to require pre-demolition permits and contractor certification for asbestos/lead abatement, arguing this would give the town leverage to require contractor documentation before approving related permits.

"If there's lead and they've knocked anything on the outside with lead, it could contaminate air," a resident said, urging state oversight. The board agreed to follow up: the health officer will be asked to check whether a state permit was issued and to coordinate with state enforcement if necessary. Several members also suggested drafting a bylaw that would require local permits for future demolitions to ensure contractors provide abatement certification and protect neighbors.