AUBURN – The foul, musty air in the basement of the Androscoggin County Courthouse – where several sheriff’s deputies work – has been ordered off limits.

County commissioners made the move Wednesday, unveiling a temporary plan to shuffle offices so no one will have to breathe the dank air while they work.

Most are moving to the first floor on the building on Turner Street.

“The commission does not feel comfortable with the employees having to be exposed to these conditions,” read Chairman Elmer Berry in a statement.

The odor problem became prominent this week, while commissioners were leading members of the Lewiston City Council on a tour of the courthouse.

“Boy, it took us back,” Berry said. Though no one who works in the basement complained, he believed the change needed to be done quickly.

Sheriff Guy Desjardins agreed.

“It’s an area that I have always felt uncomfortable with,” he said.

It seems to have become worse this year, since it has been rainy.

Berry pointed out in his statement that the building opened in 1857.

The basement is used by the department’s civil division, detectives and patrol officers.