It could be two months before Greencastle judge's office is open again

GREENCASTLE – The climate control system has been blamed for mold found in Magisterial District Judge Duane Cunningham’s office, 401 S. Washington St.

Cunningham has been holding court in Mercersburg for the past two months. He could be there until the New Year.

The landlord in Greencastle is replacing the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, according to Franklin County administrator Carrie Gray.

“This system was identified as the source of the moisture which was causing positive fungal tests results,” Gray said on Friday. “The court plans to move back into the office once the renovations are complete.”

A remediation contractor is working in the building. Renovations should be completed in four to eight weeks, depending on contractors’ schedules, she said.

More:'Environmental issues' close MDJ Cunningham's office

Support local journalism: Here is a special offer for new subscribers

Moisture had been dripping from a vent during the summer, and the carpet was wet  when Cunningham and his staff left the building on Aug. 31.

The county at the time estimated that they could return before Thanksgiving.

Cunningham moved in with MDJ Jody Eyer at 20 Veterans Way, Mercersburg. Six people, instead of three, share the year-old office.

The MDJ courts handle summary trials and landlord tenant disputes. The county pays to staff and house the courts.

The county rents the building in Greencastle from the Greencastle Rescue Hose Company. The county is not paying rent while the court is not in the building, Gray said.

The summer was locally one of the wettest on record.

More:Mold found in some rooms affected by moisture issues at Chambersburg Hospital

Several other organizations have dealt with moisture issues this summer as a result of the wet weather. 

Small amounts of mold were found in some patient rooms in the King Street Addition of Chambersburg Hospital after remediation crews removed dry wall in areas where moisture had been detected. Some units had been closed for a short time due to moisture levels. 

Seventeen Wilson College students had to move to a local hotel for about two weeks while a moisture issue in their residence hall was remedied. 

Jim Hook,  717-262-4759