MOREAU -- One of the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office’s substations is closed temporarily after deputies said they spotted mold growth.
Deputies moved into the new location of the Moreau substation in September and were moved out shortly after a complaint was filed through the deputies’ union.
“We painted it before we moved in. This mold, we didn’t see it,” said Sheriff James Bowen.
Deputies moved from the former town courthouse building on Route 9 to the new substation, a yellow house owned by the town and located next to the entrance to the new town municipal complex on Route 197, which opened in August.
“As soon as the mold problem is cleared up, we’ll move back in,” Bowen said.
Bowen emphasized the closure is temporary.
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Bowen said when he inspected the building with town officials, he saw what looked like “a little mold on the molding in the bathroom.”
Bowen said he’s been working with the town and Supervisor Preston Jenkins on clearing up the problem.
Jenkins said the previous owners of the residence left it clean and empty, but it was closed up for nearly four months before the substation moved in.
“It was a bit musty. I think it’s going to have to clear out, but I think it’s going to be fine,” Jenkins said.
He said a dehumidifier has been set up, and the town is checking to see if Sheetrock needs to be replaced.
“Right now, it’s empty. We’re not going to use it until we take care of the problem. We’ll see what it is,” Jenkins said.
The town doesn’t charge rent to the department for use of the substation.
“It gives us extra police protection at no extra cost,” Jenkins said.
In the meantime, the nine deputies usually stationed there were relocated, with three working out of Ballston Spa, three working out of Malta and the other three working out of Corinth.
“There’s no problem with patrolling anything. ... (Moreau) will still have the same coverage. It’ll just take a little longer to get into the zone to patrol,” Bowen said.
Moreau Town Board member Todd Kusnierz said the town will do “whatever it takes” to keep a substation there.
“We’ve always had a great working relationship with the department. Sheriff Bowen has responded immediately if we have an issue. It’s something we don’t want to lose,” Kusnierz said
He said he thought the new building was “a major improvement” from their previous space in the old courthouse building the town was renting, especially because it gives them a heightened presence with patrol cars visible from the roadway.
“I think that goes a long way,” Kusnierz said.