Welcome to St. Columbkille Parish

UPDATE on the Board of Health Investigation - October 26, 2018

Dear St. Columbkille Parish Family,

I am pleased to announce that Bishop Perez has given the parish permission to remove the water cooling tower and install a new air-cooled air conditioning system.  We are working closely with Osborn Engineering to provide us with construction drawings for the project so that we can move forward and begin accepting bids from companies to complete the work before the summer of 2019.  In addition, we are still negotiating with the installing contractor of the water cooling tower in order to cover a significant portion of the costs for the new air conditioning system. 

On October 11, 2018, the Board of Health released its Final Report regarding their investigation into the Legionella cases involving eleven St. Columbkille parishioners over the summer.  St. Columbkille Parish fully cooperated in this investigation.  Following the commencement of the Board of Health’s investigation, the parish has taken these important steps to ensure compliance with the Board of Health’s recommendations:

·       The church building air conditioning system was immediately shut off on July 19, 2018 on the recommendation of the Board of Health, and short- and long-term potential air conditioning solutions were evaluated. 

·       A short-term solution has been implemented and the air conditioning is now safely operating with the approval of the Board of Health and the EPA.

·       The parish retained engineering consultants to conduct a thorough review of the church air conditioning system and plans are being made to remove the (non-operational) cooling tower and to install an air-cooled system in an appropriate location as a long-term solution.  

·       The parish is working to develop an ASHRAE 188-compliant Legionella water management plan for all water sources in the parish facilities.

You may contact the rectory office to obtain a copy of the Final Report if you want to read it in its entirety.  Please note that the report omits the fact that the cooling tower was cleaned when it was filled prior to the cooling season on March 26, 2018, and these records were provided to the Board of Health in July.

St. Columbkille Parish is committed to the safety of its parishioners and all who may visit the parish.  As such, the parish is grateful to the Board of Health for their guidance and recommendations.  Going forward, the parish will continue to work closely with its consulting experts and provide any necessary updates to the Board of Health.   I will keep you updated monthly on the progress we are making on this project.  Never forget, the Lord is with us, always!

Peace in Christ,

Father Anthony J. Suso, Pastor



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