ASHLAND — Asbestos removal at the Ashland County Courthouse finished last week, and crews began working on replacing the courtroom’s ceiling on Monday.
Ashland County Commissioner Jim Justice said the building was left open, despite concerns expressed by some staff there.
Ashland County Auditor Cindy Funk addressed commissioners ahead of the scheduled asbestos removal in early May. She said she has “a problem working while they’re removing asbestos.”
The initial plan was to remove the EPA-banned substance known to cause various cancers and mesothelioma during work hours from May 13 to 16.
Justice said he left the option of keeping offices open to elected officials who work there.
The treasurer’s, auditor’s and recorder’s office chose to close on Thursday and Friday (May 16 and 17). Offices for probation and tax map remained open.
Justice said commissioners also paid an extra $1,250 to have the company hired for abatement, Envi Environmental, to work from 4 p.m. to midnight instead of regular working hours.
Removing asbestos from the courtroom’s sagging ceiling is part of a larger remediation project. The overall project has been estimated to cost around $240,000 and will close the second-floor courtroom for up to 15 weeks.
A Simonson Construction Services crew has been working on the ceiling remediation project since Monday, according to the county commissioners.
The courtroom will remain closed during work there, and court proceedings are being held in a conference room at the Ashland County Department of Job and Family Services building on East Fourth Street.