Mold contamination, holes in the building’s foundation and roof, and a failing and leaky boiler were all present in the Youth & Family Services (YFS) agency building in fall 2015. One year later, the transformed and updated structure was unveiled to the public at an the YFS Open House that opened with local and state elected officials presentations of proclamations honoring the agency’s 41 years of service to the community.

What a difference a year makes.

“The [Police] Chief [Michael Spera], [YFS Director Heather] McNeil and I worked to get insurance coverage [for the work] and the town put in $50,000. Now, all [the building] needs is a paint job on the outside,” said First Selectman Carl Fortuna, Jr., after presenting the town proclamation to McNeil.

“Without Chief Spera, this wouldn’t have happened,” said McNeil. To Spera and Fortuna, McNeil then said, “Thank you for being so accessible to me throughout this project.

“As we begin our 42nd year, we want to thank the community for being so supportive of what we do here,” McNeill said.

At the unveiling, State Representative Devin Carney (R-23) and State Senator Paul Formica (R-20) presented O’Neill with a state citation honoring the agency for its 41 years of work for the town. Fortuna presented a town proclamation with a similar message, and YFS staff members were on hand and eager to unveil and talk about the benefits of the newly updated spaces.

Following the presentations, the cake was cut, and refreshments shared. Then over the next two hours, nearly 75 members of the public entered the agency’s doors to take a tour and view the changes to the agency’s spaces.

“I can’t tell you how many people who’ve been in the building before and after comment on how bright it is now,” said YFS staffer Linda McCall.

In November 2015, a YFS employee complained to town officials of physical reactions to mold at the agency’s Main Street headquarters. A town investigation then found a small area of toxic black mold in a basement area and high concentrations of other molds embedded in wallpaper, carpets, and upholstered furniture. Remediation to eliminate the contamination was initiated.

Agency staff were relocated temporarily to Town Hall around Thanksgiving weekend 2015. With the building vacant, the remediation could proceed without disrupting agency work. Contaminated furnishings and carpeting were removed and disposed of. The leaky oil-fired boiler that had fueled the basement mold growth was replaced with a new gas-fired one. Leaks and holes in the foundation walls and roof that had led water and animals to penetrate inside were patched. With support from $50,000 in town funds, furnishings were replaced and new technology installed throughout the building.

The bulk of the construction and mold remediation tasks in the building were paid for by CIRMA, the town’s insurance carrier, because they were linked to the leaky boiler.

A new flat screen television with a scrolling screen announces to viewers in the lobby all of the upcoming activities of the YFS agency. Through the door, visitors and staff now face the new, wider code-compliant staircase that can take them safely from the first floor to the second floor. To the left is the building’s conference, meeting, and training room. A new flat screen TV affixed to the wall is now in use for support of staff training and agency-sponsored classes.

Upstairs are two dedicated family counseling session spaces not previously available. Throughout, fresh paint and improved lighting makes a more cheerful and comfortable space.