Several samples taken at the old Western Rubber plant on Douglas Street have tested positive for asbestos.
A report by Envirocorp, South Bend, indicated that at least six samples taken at the Goshen site were identified as containing the substance.
In addition, several other samples were considered “borderline” and need to be studied more carefully, City Planner Joe Hauflaire said Monday.
Hauflaire asked the Goshen Board of Public Works and Safety to approve an additional $2,376 to complete the investigation.
The funding for the initial inspection came from an Indiana Finance Authority grant, and Hauflaire said that he hoped city officials would receive a grant to do the cleanup at the site as well. The board approved the request for additional funding.
Formerly used to insulate buildings, asbestos can cause health problems including lung cancer when it gets into the air and is inhaled in the lungs.
City officials would like to see the area cleaned up so that it can be used for other purposes. Goshen Community Schools officials have shown interest in the location, as it would allow for the expansion of sports fields.
There has also been discussion about putting a natatorium there.
In other business at Monday’s meeting, the board approved a request by Police Chief Gary Penland to give a conditional offer of employment to Christopher C. Juroff and Frank Mendez as full-time police officers.
Juroff and Mendez both are currently serving as reserve officers with the Police Department. Juroff has been a reserve officer for more than two years, while Mendez has served as a reserve officer for six months.
The men will fill the vacancies on the department that will be created when longtime members of the Police Department Lyle Bainter and Terry Schollian retire within the next three months.
Bainter, a detective, has more than 36 years experience with the department, and Schollian, who was police chief prior to Penland, has more than 34 years on the department.
“Their dedication to the Police Department and this community will be sorely missed upon their retirement,” Penland said.
Respond: (574) 533-2151, ext. 313
tara.layne@goshennews.com
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