Two ma theatre owners will pay asbestos fine

With their case set to go before a jury today, a father and son have entered a plea of “no contest” to charges of illegal asbestos removal. The charges relate to the Fitchburg Theater building on Main Street in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Francis D. Tramontozzi, 72, of Tewksbury, and his son, Thomas M. Tramontozzi, 47, of Fitchburg, were each fined $3,850 after pleading in Fitchburg District Court. The Tramontozzis were charged with allowing asbestos emissions to be released into the air, and also with removing asbestos without notifying the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. According to the state Attorney General’s office an inspector of the Fitchburg Board of Health brought the Tramontozzis’ case to the attention of the state Environmental Crimes Strike Force in 2006. An anonymous complaint was made which indicated the Fitchburg Theatre building, a commercial building in the downtown district, may contain a possible asbestos hazard. Upon inspecting the site, the Board of Health inspector noticed that asbestos insulation present on heat pipes was in poor condition, and was in need of repair or removal. Francis D. Tramontozzi, the owner of the property, was issued with a Board of Health violation notice. The notice ordered the Tramontozzis to fix the asbestos violations to comply with state regulations. However, when the Board of Health inspector returned to inspect the property several months later, the deteriorating asbestos insulation was still present. Subsequently Francis D. Tramontozzi told the Board of Health inspector that his son, Thomas M. Tramontozzi, had repaired the deteriorating asbestos insulation materials. Tramontozzi said the job was “complete.” A third Board of Health inspection was carried out, during which asbestos dust and debris was discovered to be present and uncontained in the area around the building. Following the discovery, the inspector contacted the Department of Environmental Protection to report improper asbestos removal. At the same time, Francis D. Tramontozzi was told that the work which had been done was unauthorized and that the problems would need to be fixed by licensed asbestos workers. Asbestos regulations must be followed strictly due to the hazards associated with exposure to the fibrous mineral. Asbestos exposure and inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause serious lung conditions such as asbestosis, and a rare and very lethal cancer called mesothelioma. Due to the hazards of asbestos exposure, state and federal regulations have strict laws controlling how asbestos is handled, removed, and repaired. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)