There is no present health hazard in Bertrand Township Hall or the township community building, according to a recent assessment of the asbestos situation in both buildings by Wightman & Associates.

Members of the Bertrand Township Board of Trustees released Wightman’s findings at Thursday’s regular meeting.

The report said while there is asbestos in both buildings, the material containing asbestos does not pose a health hazard as long as the material remains undisturbed.

Wightman recommended that the board take steps to ensure the material is not disturbed, including abatement in certain areas.

The board voted unanimously to get quotes on how much it would cost to follow Wightman’s recommendation.

“We are looking forward to moving quickly and getting this behind us,” said Supervisor Steve Hicks.

Earlier this summer, the board decided to have an asbestos survey performed after trustee Stephen LeClaire expressed concern over possible asbestos contamination in the town hall and community building.

LeClaire, who works as a plumber, said he became concerned after former clerk Jane Lano told him in the spring that a state inspector had inquired about what happened to the township hall’s old boiler, which had been replaced in 2012.

LeClaire, who was not a trustee in 2012, said he feared that the old boiler was not removed properly and possibly led to asbestos contamination in the boiler room.

In a related matter, township Attorney Sara Bell said then-clerk Lano knew about the boiler and possible asbestos issue in 2012, but did not mention it to other board members at that time or thereafter.

“Instead, Jane Lano kept this information to herself and the information was then leaked to the public after a recall election,” Bell said.

Lano was recalled from office in May of 2015.

Bell also accused Lano of not notifying the board of other matters related to former township employee Eugena Lockamy (also known as Gena Welsh), including that Lockamy had filed for unemployment benefits and filed a civil rights complaint against the township.

The civil rights complaint was dismissed in May and the township is in the process of appealing the granting of unemployment benefits to Lockamy, whom Bell said voluntarily resigned.

When contacted by phone Friday, Lano said she had no comment related to anything Bell had to say about her.

Bell’s comments about Lano came after a closed session with the board Thursday. Bell read the comments aloud from a letter that was addressed to board members. To read the letter in its entirety, click here.