FARMINGTON — Selectmen unanimously agreed Tuesday to allow the town’s Code Enforcement Officer to pursue demolition of a home extensively damaged by black mold.

The board held a hearing to determine if the structure at 199 Red Schoolhouse was dangerous or a nuisance according to state law.

“It has received extensive damage and is not salvageable,” Code Enforcement Officer Steve Kaiser said, expressing concern for the health and safety of the neighborhood.

An abutting neighbor, Melanie Nadeau, pleaded with the board to take immediate action as the structure is within 50 feet of her home. Her child has mold allergies, and now she can’t let her daughter go outside, she said.

“We’re looking at deadly mold,” Nadeau said. “Photos don’t show the overhang on the deck — it’s creeping outside. It needs to go ASAP.”

The home, a trailer with an addition, is owned by Lydia Cook. Since the property was vacant for nearly two years, Kaiser expects that water pipes broke, allowing water to flow into the residence. The closed environment was ripe for mold growth.

Kaiser has contacted the Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Health and Human Services. DHHS has a protocol for dealing with this issue, and he expects to work with them in hiring a contractor to demolish and remove the home. The costs are up to the owner, he said.

In other business:

* The board proclaimed Wednesday, May 22, as Arbor Day in Farmington.

Peter Tracy of the town’s Conservation Commission told the board Farmington will receive an award for participating in the Tree City USA program for 35 years.

* The board unanimously approved replacement of plowing equipment for the Public Works Department. The total equipment cost, $75,270, is to be taken from the department’s equipment reserve account.

With $85,000 appropriated for the fund this year, the total was $162,519. After the equipment purchase, $87,249 will be left in the account.

*  They approved purchase of a new police vehicle, a 2013 Interceptor SUV from Quirk Ford in Augusta for $25,794. 

*  The board awarded a bid of $14,080 for cemetery wall repair to Ripa Stoneworks LLC of New Sharon. 

Four bids were received, ranging from $14 to $29,000, Town Manager Richard Davis told the board. Only $7,000 was budgeted, based on an estimate from last year. The other $7,080 will be taken from the cemetery maintenance account.

* With a vote of 4 to 1, the board approved upgrading 20 decorative streetlight fixtures downtown. The annual cost is $6,844.80, an increase of $2,769.60, to be taken from the street light account.

Selectman Andrew Hufnagel opposed the motion after questioning light provisions for other parts of town.

The 150-watt sodium fixtures will be replaced with 175-watt metal halide fixtures.

The halide fixtures provide a bigger, better and whiter illumination. The sodium fixtures are more a yellow light, Selectman Ryan Morgan, an electrician, said.

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