Yes. Madison Beach Hotel Really Is Replacing The Insulation, Town Officials Say.

Just what, exactly, is Madison Beach Hotel doing?

The white shroud covering the hotel has people talking. The other day, several contractors stood in the parking lot, looked up at workers finishing the shrouding work, and wondered why all the trouble just to replace the insulation. One contractor, who was from out of state and not involved with the project, said he stops by whenever he is in the area, just to see how the project is going and to try to figure out how much longer it's going to take.

The hotel's project manager has said that the shrouding will allow workers to continue work through bad weather and will expedite the process of completing the construction project, which is already way behind schedule.

There have been unconfirmed reports floating around that the balconies on the east side of the hotel are compromised by black mold and that the current work is focusing on those balconies, rather than insulation.

Madison Buildling Inspector Vincent Garofalo says that is not true. 

"In regards to the 'black mold' rumor that has plagued the entire hotel, this is completely untrue," Garafalo said. "There were a few rooms that did have some mold remediation completed a few months ago, long before the stories started. These rooms were affected due to a faulty flashing. The contractor GBC Corporation and the owners have had specialists clear the hotel as mold free."

The current work involves exactly what the project manager said it did, Garafolo says, improvements to the insulation.

"In regards to the new improvements that are currently being done, the management team at the hotel wanted to improve the insulation envelope to the walls most affected by weather," Garafalo said. "The crews are adding additional and more effective insulation at this time. This project should be done in a few weeks. To achieve this and open on schedule, this particular project was done from the exterior."

Garafolo said there are four to six crews currently finishing the guest rooms, as well as the balance of the interior of the building "to pristine condition" as part of the current project.

Garafalo said he and the town's Fire Marshal will do a final inspection when the building is ready for public occupancy.

"This date has yet to be determined," he said. "A Certificate of Occupancy will be issued after all life and safety issues have been completed."