Town Commissions Study To Determine Levels of Pollutants in Waveny House

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Officials on Tuesday approved about $6,000 for tests that will help make clear the extent of pollutants such as asbestos and lead in Waveny House.

Most of the pollutants at Waveny are relegated to the basement because of its heating system and pipes, where “huge water tanks” are wrapped in asbestos, according to Bill Oestmann, buildings superintendent with the New Canaan Department of Public Works.

The town as it looks at restoring the infrastructure at Waveny House should consider alternative heating sources to the steam pipes used now so that there’s no need to trigger abatement work by entering an area with contaminants, Oestmann told the Board of Selectmen during the group’s regular meeting.

“As far as dollars go, this study will hopefully get us some estimates,” Oestmann said at the meeting, held in Town Hall.

The study, from Meriden-based EnviroMed Services, will cost about $5,520 and the selectman approved a contract for it 3-0 with $800 contingency.

Oestmann said he expects the draft study to be done by week’s end.

It comes as a committee studies Waveny House and, with an eye on funds needed for capital maintenance, proposes future uses.

During the same meeting, the selectman appointed Martin Skrelunas, an architecture and landscape preservationist, to what is now being called the ‘Waveny Use Committee.’

Selectman Beth Jones asked to what extent the committee would be involved with the study. Oestmann said the committee was central because the group is expected to determine the use of Waveny House.

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