AUBURN - The Cayuga County Legislature is soon expected to pay its last fine associated with illegal asbestos removal.
The Ways and Means Committee unanimously agreed to pay $5,000 for state Department of Labor violations Tuesday. The full Legislature will vote on whether to accept the penalty at a regular meeting next week.
“This is the end of the administrative process,” said committee Chairman Francis Mitchell, R-Genoa.
The Department of Labor cited the county for four violations linked to the illegal removal of asbestos at the Board of Elections building in March 2006. The county erred when it failed to contract a licensed asbestos removal professional, conduct air tests and properly clean the work area, according to the citations.
Suspended county carpenter John Chick, who supervised the project, pleaded guilty to violating the Clean Indoor Air Act last year. He awaits sentencing in federal court Feb. 20.
County legislators agreed to pay a $10,000 fine issued by the state Department of Environmental Conservation last month. If they approve payment to the Department of Labor at a regular meeting Jan. 22, it should signal the end of government action. The county still faces several lawsuits brought by employees and members of the public who contend they were exposed to asbestos. Federal prosecutors have indicated they will not file criminal charges against the county.
In other news:
•The Ways and Means Committee accepted a five-year contract with the Deputy Sheriff's Police Association retroactive to 2007.
County officials could not release details on the agreement until the full Legislature votes on it next week.
The deal already ratified by union membership would be effective through 2011.
“I believe it's an fair and equitable contract for the county and the deputies,” Sheriff David Gould said, declining further comment.
The union has about 32 members and represents all professional law enforcement officers in the sheriff's department except the sheriff and undersheriff.
“This is the end of the administrative process,” said committee Chairman Francis Mitchell, R-Genoa.
The Department of Labor cited the county for four violations linked to the illegal removal of asbestos at the Board of Elections building in March 2006. The county erred when it failed to contract a licensed asbestos removal professional, conduct air tests and properly clean the work area, according to the citations.
Suspended county carpenter John Chick, who supervised the project, pleaded guilty to violating the Clean Indoor Air Act last year. He awaits sentencing in federal court Feb. 20.
County legislators agreed to pay a $10,000 fine issued by the state Department of Environmental Conservation last month. If they approve payment to the Department of Labor at a regular meeting Jan. 22, it should signal the end of government action. The county still faces several lawsuits brought by employees and members of the public who contend they were exposed to asbestos. Federal prosecutors have indicated they will not file criminal charges against the county.
In other news:
•The Ways and Means Committee accepted a five-year contract with the Deputy Sheriff's Police Association retroactive to 2007.
County officials could not release details on the agreement until the full Legislature votes on it next week.
The deal already ratified by union membership would be effective through 2011.
“I believe it's an fair and equitable contract for the county and the deputies,” Sheriff David Gould said, declining further comment.
The union has about 32 members and represents all professional law enforcement officers in the sheriff's department except the sheriff and undersheriff.
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