THE LEGENDARY "THE SMELL" EMAIL

Sent: Thursday, December 30, 1999 5:55 PM 

"the smell" has been addressed, and continues to be addressed. 
We've had air conditioning and ventilation experts in here 
looking for the cause, and tying to determine the cure. While 
my olfactory senses may be more tolerant than some of you, I 
appreciate your patience in putting up with the problem.

A few comments:

- the building is old, it has been retro-ed for different 
purposed over the last hundred years; earlier tenants, 
including the owner, have tried to deal with the problem. 
Earlier attempts to alleviate the problem have obviously not 
worked. *-***** is currently working with experts in trying 
to isolate the problem, and curing it.

- a river flows under the building (!), ultimately leading 
to the Mead Park pond, which compounds the drainage problem, 
which has been suggested as a possible cause of "the smell".

- it has been ascertained that there is no health problem 
involved; quite simply it is an unpleasant environment when 
the problem manifests itself - off and on, changing with 
temperature, weather & precipitation conditions, etc.

- anyone feeling at risk in working in such "intolerable" 
conditions should let me know. we can arrange other quarters 
for you.

- "the smell" is only part of the bigger consideration, that
of making this building into a first-class corporate 
headquarters, which will involve major lower floor renovations. 
We're not looking for a quick fix, but rather, a long-term 
solution to the problem. It will be expensive, and it will 
require some time.

I must point out that part of the problem can be attributed 
to some of our own employees, whose habits are certainly 
not acceptable, e.g., the following:

- the recent "flooding" of the downstairs men's room was 
the result of someone placing wads of paper towls in the 
toilet, causing a major waste stoppage, augmenting 
"the smell" problem, and resulting in a totally unnecessary 
clean-up expense to *-*****,

- there are signs in the lower floor rest rooms requesting 
that fans be left on continously during normal working hours. 
They are there for a reason. I've found these fans turned off 
on many occations, particularily during periods when we've had 
complaints of "the smell". Let's take a little bit of 
responsibility here. Be considerate fo the people who work 
in that area.

Intelligent and constructive comments and suggestions are 
welcome.