POST OFFICE WINDOW REMOVAL INCLUDES ASBESTOS; NOT SECURED

We told you Saturday about the pre-demolition efforts at the former Maplewood Village Post Office site that included removal of windows and no coverage to deter vandals or trespassers.

Township Code Enforcement Officer Robert Mittermaier said today that the developer, JMF Properties, had begun preparing the building for demolition by removing windows, some of which contained asbestos in the caulk.

He said no permits are required for the work. But he had advised them to make sure that all of the window openings were secured -- either boarded up or with a fence put around the property.

As of Monday morning, some windows were boarded up, but most had just a sheet of a tarp-like substance that could be easily ripped down.

Mittermaier said any asbestos removal had to be done in a way that adheres to Department of Environmental regulations. There was no signage to indicate asbestos or any other hazardous substance was being removed.