The Board of Public Works of the City of Franklin on Oct. 2 declared a public emergency and authorized the city to waive bidding requirements to begin mold remediation at Fire Station Number 1 on Drexel Avenue, citing prolonged water intrusion, test results and staff health complaints.

The action matters because the station houses a 24/7 crew and administrative staff, and officials said contamination and ongoing leaks risk employee health and could degrade emergency response if the station must be vacated. Fire Chief James Mayer told the board that crews occupy the headquarters station “24 hours a day, 365 days a year,” and that employees who moved out of affected offices reported “a marked improvement in her symptoms.”

Mayer and assistant chiefs described a long-running building-envelope problem dating to the station’s construction in 1980 and an addition in 1996. The city contracted Terracon Consultants as an environmental representative; Terracon performed testing this year and the chief said a 2021 air-quality test showed a reading of 280 in the chief’s office, above the 100 level that he said raised concern. Mayer said asbestos was identified only in floor tile and that contractors performing remediation must be certified to handle asbestos as well as mold.

The board’s resolution links the emergency authorization to a $50,000 appropriation in the city’s 2025 capital budget. Mayer said the city originally requested $78,000 to include new windows; the Terracon contract for environmental work was “just over $8,000,” leaving about $42,000 remaining in the appropriation. Remediation bids from three firms — Kelman Restoration, Paul Davis and a third firm — were presented; Mayer said the mitigation portion of one contractor’s estimate was not-to-exceed $11,550. Officials told the board one vendor indicated work could start within about a week.

Members emphasized the scope limits for the emergency authorization. Assistant Chief Robert Maki and Mayer told the board the declaration applies to mold remediation only; any reconstruction or window replacement beyond mitigation would follow the normal bidding process or be covered by future capital funding. Mayer also said staff have quotes for temporary housing to relocate crews if remediation requires vacating the station.

Board member Clark Johnson moved the emergency authorization; David Waznicki seconded. The board approved the resolution by voice vote; Chairman Chuck Porter then read the resolution language that cites Wisconsin statutes 62.15 and 66.0901 as the basis to waive bidding for an immediate public emergency. The resolution states it remains in effect until the common council determines by majority vote that the emergency no longer exists.

Officials said the next steps are to open affected walls to remove contaminated materials, perform water-intrusion testing to identify the source, complete remediation work to make occupied areas safe, and then return to the council with any additional reconstruction bids. Mayer told the board that because crews work 24-hour shifts at the station, the city needs to balance continuity of emergency response with employee health concerns and therefore sought the emergency authorization to begin remediation promptly.