It’s hard to believe that the first decade of the 21st century is quickly coming to a close. These past ten years has brought many changes to CCI. Some have been very positive changes such as the design and implementation of our new logo, our updated website, our newsletters, our annual golf tournaments and in 2006 receiving ICRI’s (International Concrete Repair Institute) project of the year award. However, some changes have been difficult such as the unexpected loss of our founder Dick Sylvester in 2004. But one thing has remained constant, YOU – our clients! You have been supportive through our changes and adjustments. We want you to know that we appreciate your business and continue to strive to meet your needs and high level of expectations. Our team works hard and is committed to bringing you the best possible results on our projects.

Thank you for your business and we look forward to many more years of servicing you!

From all of us at CCI

What's the story with PCB Tainted Sealants?

A health threat has been brought to the forefront by the Environmental Protection Agency’s recent announcement regarding PCBs.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that they “now recommend testing for PCBs in peeling, brittle, cracking or deteriorating caulk, in buildings, especially school environments, constructed or renovated between 1950 and 1978”. According to the EPA, “Building owners and facility managers should also consider testing to determine if PCB levels in the air exceed EPA’s suggested public health levels.”

Production and use of PCB’s (polychlorinated biphenyls) has been banned since the late 1970’s in the United States, when certain types were identified as carcinogenic, but prior to then it was used in some electronics and building materials, including as an additive in some caulks to make them more flexible.

In 2000, while investigating above average rates of breast cancer cases among employees at the University of Rhode Island, investigators inadvertently found correlations between the high levels of PCBs found in the building and in the employees’ blood serum, prompting further testing and discovery of the tainted caulking.

According to the EPA, tests performed on laboratory animals indicate that the type of PCB’s released by this type of caulk have been shown to cause cancer and numerous other serious health effects in animals. These include issues with the immune system, reproductive system, nervous system, endocrine system and other negative health effects. Let it be known that PCB’s have been found in the blood of students tested in buildings where PCB’s have been discovered in caulking.

PCB-laden caulk can come in different colors - brown, black, tan, white, etc. This caulking can be found around windows, doors, vents and possibly on sidewalks.

It can also leach and contaminate the indoor air, soil and masonry. Evidence indicates that PCB’s can be absorbed into masonry materials to the extent that removal and replacement of these masonry units becomes necessary.

This means that even though properties may have newer replacement doors and windows, the masonry openings at these locations can still be contaminated. PCB-laden caulk is considered hazardous material and must be properly abated and properly disposed of.

While the focus has been largely on schools and public buildings, what is not addressed or considered is that hundreds of these older schools and manufacturing facilities from the suspect period, have been converted to residential and office condominiums. This is especially true in New England.

The Massachusetts Division of Capitol Asset Management has initiated a requirement on public projects; to test for PCB’s when “window replacements, exterior masonry repairs or other activities that may involve PCB laden material” are undertaken. However that does not include privately held property.

Oddly, the only Federal guidelines in place at the present time concerning PCB caulk is that if it IS discovered, in the course of voluntary testing, it MUST be removed. At this time there are NO federal laws requiring testing. This “catch-22” requirement gives budget-stripped schools little incentive to test voluntarily and risk subjecting themselves to this burden.

The EPA has clearly stated that they are looking at the issue and will be developing guidelines and recommendations. Removal of these contaminants, if necessary, is certain to be extremely expensive and “PCB caulk” may become the environmental buzzword of the new decade. Privately held properties are currently under no such obligation other than conscience. Despite the lack of a legal compulsion to test and abate these substances, there are clear benefits to testing. If no PCB’s are present, you can relax knowing that you have done the responsible thing. If PCB’s ARE present, you have the opportunity to plan and budget your response before any government mandates take effect. Forewarned is forearmed.

Kim Tisa, PCB coordinator for the EPA’s New England office has stated “We don’t want to scare people but the bottom line is; it’s a fact and we have to deal with it”.

Project Profiles: Horizons Condominium at Paragon Park
Location: Hull MA

The fabled Paragon Park on Nantasket Beach - At one time it was one of New England’s most popular sea-side amusement park before those multi-million dollar theme parks came along.

Today, the only surviving remnants of Paragon Park on the boardwalk are the historic Paragon Park Carousel and clock tower. The rest of the site is devoted to condominium development. The park’s “Giant Coaster”, built in 1917 and removed from the park in 1985, now operates as “The Wild One” at Six Flags America, Baltimore/Washington, D.C.

Now stands Horizons Condominiums, 112 units built in 1987 on the former location of Paragon Park. How ironic when the Board of Trustees had waterproofing problems and needed help they found and selected CCI to perform a wide range of waterproofing and restoration repairs spanning over a two year project.

Why is it ironic they selected CCI? The founder of CCI, Dick Sylvester, worked on the restoration of the former parks Giant Coaster including wood replacement and painting in the 1980’s before the park closed and the fabled roller coaster moved to its new home.

Now fast forward 25+ years and Dick’s daughter, Tina Montgomery, now President of CCI was selected to perform the restoration of Horizons Condominiums.

It’s amazing how history repeats itself”, says Tina Montgomery, “Buildings my father worked on 20 to 30 years ago are still there and need repair, and now the new Owners are calling me to perform their restoration work.

I feel honored that the new Owner’s have confidence in me and my company to complete their restoration needs”.

So we thought it only right to select Horizons Condominium as this newsletters featured project.

What began as a relatively simple re-pointing and caulking job eventually included EIFS repair, concrete balcony repair, door and window replacement as well as roofing and sheet metal fabrication.

We began by repairing the persistent leaks which other waterproofing companies had been unsuccessful in solving. The key to repairing these problems was careful and correct diagnosis of the leak conditions by water testing and exploratory investigation.

The property has currently been brought up-to-date on required maintenance while staying within budget parameters. Close co-operation between the condo board of directors and CCI’s project manager Bill Sylvester, has resulted in a highly satisfactory final product and we are told a very satisfied customer.

Press Releases

CCI participated in the 5th Annual Northeast Buildings & Facilities Management Show and Conference on June 9th & 10th at the Boston Convention Center & Exhibition Center. CCI was one of the record 302 companies exhibiting products and services for the management, operation, renovation and maintenance of buildings and facilities. Companies from 18 states and Canada displayed their products to the region’s facilities and building professionals.

CCI recently joined friends of IREM (Institute of Real Estate Management) and participated in the annual golf tournament held this year at the Granite Links golf course in Quincy, MA

October 23rd 2010:
21st Annual CAI-NE Condo Conference & Expo – Booth # 60
Sheraton Framingham - Showtime 8:00am-2:30pm

November 17th-19th 2010:
Build Boston Tradeshow – Booth # 923
Get into the exhibit hall free of charge by using promocode 10BB336