On June 11, the Bertrand Township Board of Trustees voted to approve a purchase to have the township hall tested for asbestos.

The decision to test the building stems from a complaint made by a council member, who reports he found loose asbestos in the building.

Although the township paid for preliminary testing earlier this spring, we support the decision to pay for a more thorough test.

With more and more research proving that asbestos exposure leads to cancer and other dangerous diseases, the funds allocated to test for the harmful substance are easily justifiable.

Plenty of people spend time in the township hall, which is used not only to host meetings and office hours for township officials, but as a meeting and community space for the residents of Bertrand Township, and a number of people have expressed concern over the issue. With so many people frequenting the building and one company already verifying that trustee Stephen LeClaire’s sample was asbestos, it is the township’s responsibility to ensure that the facility is safe for all who use it.

Additionally Bertrand Township has hired Wightman Environmental, a firm located in Benton Harbor, to test the building. When tests like these have to be performed, we always support local spending.

We commend Mr. LeClaire for bringing this issue to the council’s attention, and the entire township board for agreeing to put safety over money.

 

Opinions expressed are those of the editorial board consisting of Publisher Michael Caldwell and editors Ambrosia Neldon, Craig Haupert, Ted Yoakum and Scott Novak.