Minutes-01/06/1964

Minutes of the Tiffin Board of Health, January 6, 1964 Present: Bill Verry, Glenn Potter, Bob Svatos Absent: Wayne Stratton, Ted Spivey The meeting was called to order by Chairman O'Toole, who presented the problem of the furnace at the Tiffin School. Apparently, this has been a recurring problem for several years and was brought to public attention at the Christmas program in December, when coal gas and smoke caused some alarm among the crowd in the gym. The morning after the program, the Chairman spoke to Ned Langenberg, the Clear Creek Director on the School Board, and requested that the Board take action to correct this hazard to health. He agreed to inform the School Superintendent and the President of the Board, to do whatever was necessary to correct it. Apparently nothing was done, so the Chairman discussed this with the Town Attorney, who is also the school attorney, and he made recommendations that we contact the County School Superintendent and the State Fire Marshal's office, and if we got no cooperation from the school district at that time, we were empowered under the Code of Iowa to close the doors on the Tiffin School. The Chairman called the State Fire Marshal and he came down January 3, inspected the school, and at that time nothing had been done. He recommended that the school board employ a heating engineer to inspect and make a routine report. In the meantime, they would be operating against the State Fire Code. In the presence of the Fire Marshal and Ned Langenberg, the Mayor stated that he had not changed his position and was not the only one who felt that way; everyone who was present at the program felt the same way. He indicated that we did not want to upset the school schedule, but if they did in good faith show that they intended to make corrections on this heating plant, we would not close the school. Apparently they have gone ahead and employed an engineer, who has made some sort of preliminary report. In addition to that, the Fire Marshal pointed out some corrections to the stairwell, and addition of a fire wall up from the basement. The Fire Marshal indicated to the Mayor that if he felt these corrections would satisfy the main problem that he would then give them a clean bill of health. They have no jurisdiction in the type of heating unit that is used. Dale Flansburg has suggested that the newer furnace be replaced with an oil gun system and that the old furnace be completely junked and a new oil furnace installed. This would probably cost in the vicinity of $1,500. The following resolution was proposed by Bob, seconded by Glenn and carried: "We, as a Board of Health, feel that the School Board is attempting to correct the situation and we will review it in thirty days." The Fire Marshal indicated that the escape routes are good out of the building...infinitely better than in the Oxford plant. Glenn moved, Bill seconded the motion to adjourn. Carried. Margie O'Toole TOWN CLERK