Board learns meth disclosure is not required in the county

By BRYCE KELLY

Mt. Pleasant News

Henry County supervisors have moved to start discussions about changing policies regarding the renting and reselling of apartments and homes that were once meth labs.

During their semi-weekly meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 19, the board invited William Tyrrell from Triage Bio Clean Services to speak about the possibility of looking into changing county policies that could mandate that all homes that were once known meth houses be cleaned and cleared for safety before allowing a new tenant to move in. Such a policy could also give buyers access to records that would indicate whether or not a dwelling that they are wanting to rent or buy had ever been the site of a known meth lab.

According to the National Drug Intelligence Center, being exposed to the toxic chemicals used to produce methamphetamine could pose a variety of health risks, including intoxication, dizziness, nausea, disorientation, lack of coordination, respiratory issues, chemical burns and damage to internal organs.

As it currently stands in Henry County, houses that have been the site of past meth houses have not had to be recorded and disclosed to those looking to buy or rent. Furthermore, meth houses do not have to be inspected by a licensed cleaning technician before going on the market for sale or rent. If new policies were to be instated, this could all be changed.

?The way it stands now, a person could buy a house today and not have to be told it was a meth house,? says Tyrrell. ?This needs to change.?

Tyrrell also explained that even though a meth lab home may have been allowed to air out for some time, the absence of odor in a home does not mean the home is not?contaminated.

Other issues on the board?s agenda included approving a suspension on property taxes for several residents of Henry County who are currently receiving SSI and approving a resolution to allow Regional Utility Service Systems to issue bonds for Moar/Powdertown in Lee County.

Jake Hotchkiss, County Engineer, also gave a weekly update to the board. In his statement, Hotchkiss reported that things are progressing well.

?August 11-15 were good days for road maintenance,? Hotchkiss said. ?Three projects were completed, and I am pleased with the progress we are making with other ongoing projects.?

One such project is an upcoming job on 150th Street West of Highway 218. Local maintenance employees will be working to replace road pipes on Thursday and Friday of this week with a plan to close the road on Aug. 25 for thru traffic.

Landowners living along the project site can expect letters from the Henry County Engineer?s office explaining the details of the construction. Crews estimate that the project could take two to three weeks to complete depending on weather.

The next board of supervisors meeting will be at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 20, at the Henry County courthouse.