Pocono News Section

I-Team Called to Look at Mold Problems in Freeland

I-Team Called to Look at Mold Problems in Freeland - Monday, June 22, 2009 at 6:15PM EST

Reported by: Andy Mehalshick
Monday, Jun 22, 2009 @ 06:15pm EST
FREELAND, LUZERNE COUNTY- People living in a Luzerne County housing complex say they're concerned for their health and safety. The problem is mold. So they called the Eyewitness News I-Team for help.

Dozens of people who call Freeland Village home fear their homes may pose a danger to their families.

Moshe Eichler owns Freeland Village. The I-Team was there as Freeland officials came to inspect some problem apartments. The walls and carpeting were removed from this place over the weekend, only after Freeland Borough Manager Lynn Falatko got involved.

"He told me I have no right to bring the press down, getting them involved. I told him the reason I did, he's not rectifying the situation. He told me he did not know about it. I told him his maintenance manager confirmed with us they knew there was an issue and they could not correct it until after July 1st,Ó said Falatko.

The I-Team obtained these petitions containing dozens of names of residents, who fear for their health and safety. ÒWe actually walked through five with mold problems, windows, kitchen leaking that type of thing. We want to be sure itÕs addressed," added Faltko.

None of the residents would talk with us, but they did talk with Sgt. Rob Mahalick. "Some tenants have expressed concerns that they have mold problems. They mentioned it to village management, but they're afraid to talk to you on camera from fear of retaliation by management," he told the I-Team.

Late Monday the Freeland Code Officer condemned one home because of mold and Freeland officials are working with state inspectors to monitor the situation. The borough manager insists the safety of the residents is the top priority.