[MassHistPres] Restoring windows and lead paint issues

[Marcia Starkey]

Is wood window sash an acceptable compromise to reduce the use of synthetic 
materials, promote beneficial industries and forest management? (you can 
always tell these folks from western Mass.)
Marcia Starkey
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dennis De Witt" <djd184 at verizon.net>
To: "MHC MHC listserve" <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
Sent: Monday, December 28, 2009 9:56 AM
Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Restoring windows and lead paint issues


> Jeff's comments are consistent with a couple of affordable housing 
> projects I have seen.  I would also note that, if there are good tight 
> storms in place, the space can be occupied, even in the winter, with the 
> sash temporarily out.
>
> Dennis De Witt
>
>
> On Dec 28, 2009, at 9:44 AM, Jeff Levine wrote:
>
>> As someone who has gone through the lead abatement process in more than
>> one house, here is what I have heard from lead inspectors (not the
>> contractors, but the ones that do the initial and final inspections.)
>>
>> If the window or door is shown to be bare of wood when the process is
>> complete, they will pass the item as abated, whether or not there is
>> remaining lead in the wood from a chemical process. They should make a
>> note in the final inspection report that the item was stripped to bare
>> wood so a future inspector would understand that new paint does not
>> invalidate that abatement. It is not complicated nor is it discriminatory
>> against retaining old windows or doors.
>>
>> These were both reputable inspectors who seemed to know the law and
>> practice backward and forward. Unfortunately, the practice changes
>> constantly so there is no guarantee that notes on the inspection report
>> will count in the future as "abated", but you have to hope that future
>> inspectors would be reasonable. I have found that inspectors tend to 
>> trust
>> reports from past inspectors, so I personally am not worried about it.
>>
>> The more complicated part of removing old windows to abate is that it
>> usually takes longer than just popping in a new window, so it may
>> complicate getting back into the unit. If its vacant for a month or two
>> that may not matter, but often units are already occupied and therefore
>> every day out of the unit is another day in a hotel, with friends, etc.
>> With small kids that can be a big hassle, and therefore often owners
>> choose to replace rather than strip. In the long run, stripping is often
>> the better choice if residents are willing to deal with the extra
>> inconvenience.
>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> Jeff Levine, AICP
>> Director
>> Department of Planning and Community Development
>> Town of Brookline
>> 333 Washington Street Third Floor
>> Brookline, MA
>>
>> 617-730-2130 (v)
>> 617-730-2442 (f)
>>
>> Email:    jlevine at brooklinema.gov
>> www:  http://www.brooklinema.gov/Planning/
>>
>> Please remember the Secretary of State considers email a public record.
>>
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