MEXICO – Mold and several building code violations within the Med-Care Ambulance Service station forced employees this week and last into two mobile homes parked on site, according to Director Dean Milligan.

Employees were allowed to work in main floor offices, but second-floor rooms were off limits.

In June, an investigation into an increase in sick leaves revealed that the station’s living quarters had nine times the acceptable limit of mixtures of mold species, Milligan said on Thursday afternoon in Peru.

“We had a spike in sick leaves of respiratory illnesses over the winter and into the spring, so we investigated and found mold,” he said. “And, now that the mold has been eradicated, we’ve had to get rid of all of our furniture, beds, box springs, air conditioners and carpeting.”

Contractors were hired to resolve problems that can be fixed without spending an exorbitant amount. However, the quick fix is just a short-term solution, Milligan said.

“We have to start addressing several code violations with the state fire marshal’s office and the Maine Municipal Association, which is our insurer. Among these are electrical problems and window-size egresses, but that’s really just the tip of the iceberg.

“We are still working with the fire marshal’s office on the separation between floors, but if we have to do everything that we’ve been cited for, it will cost $100,000.

“We won’t do everything that’s been identified, because it’s not financially practical to put that kind of money into a building that is no longer functional for us,” Milligan said.

Both Med-Care’s Board of Directors and two committees are working toward getting a new building within the next 12 months.

If attempts to work with the fire marshal’s office to resolve code violations fall through, Med-Care could be fined or told to fix identified violations, Milligan said.

Until the trailers rented from a Windham dealer are returned next week, on-duty crews will continue to live, work, cook meals and sleep in them. Some will also have to shower at Mexico and Rumford fire stations.

“It’s been definitely unfortunate, I guess,” Milligan said.