Asbestos work continues at county care facility

Following the completion of the asbestos survey at the Jasper County Care Facility, additional asbestos was found present at the facility, Shive-Hattery Engineer Christopher Bauer said. He told the Jasper County Board of Supervisors Tuesday that more than $23,000 worth of asbestos needs to be removed.

“There were a number of asbestos containing materials identified in the county home. We did contact the contractor and pushed them to take care of anything that could be remotely linked to the original asbestos survey. That includes a lot of the roofing materials, all of the flooring materials and they have agreed to do that,” Bauer said.

Additionally, new areas in the building were found in the survey to have asbestos containing materials that were not identified in the original survey and report. Those include sinks, interior window glazing and roof field asbestos.

REW, which was also the original asbestos contractor, submitted the low bid for the new abatement at $5,500, which was under the $7,200 estimated cost.

Following the completion of the abatement, Bauer said the asbestos issues should be resolved and work on demolition design plans can begin. He said they are hoping to get the bid process started toward the end of December or beginning of January with a tentative February start date for demolition.

The board also approved a resolution supporting Home Base Iowa, an initiative that is designed to help attract veterans who have recently completed their active duty and are transitioning into civilian life. With the approval, a sign will be placed at an entrance to the county stating that Jasper County is a Home Base Iowa community.

“Right now we already have 22 businesses in the county that have signed on,” said Jasper County Treasurer Doug Bishop. “The idea is veterans at various bases throughout the country say where do I want to land, I am getting downsized or my 20-year career is coming to an end. We’re making it very enticing to get them here.”

In other business:

• A mutual aid agreement with Marion County for the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office was approved.

• Three temporary, part-time snow plow drivers were approved for hire. Brad Martinson, Brad Bestell and Benjamin Frahm were hired to start Dec. 1 at $16 per hour.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com