Manchester mayor Frank Guinta says he now opposes a plan to tighten state lead paint standards. The measure is slated for a State Senate vote later this week.
In a letter sent to state senators, Mayor Guinta said he was reversing course on the lead paint bill. As drafted, proposal cuts in half the blood lead level that triggers state intervention……The bill would also subjects all apartments in a multi-unit dwelling to inspection if a poisoning takes place in any single unit……..Guinta and Manchester health officials had backed the bill, but the mayor now says he never supported anything beyond studying lead paint issues. He added that the proposal needs to be more sensitive to the needs of landlords.
"Property owners should have the input when it comes to how the state of NH is going to mandate the management of their properties. I think that input has not been received to this point, and it should be received moving forward."
Property owners groups have opposed the measure from its inception, and say complying with its requirements would prove very costly……Mayor Guinta says he's now urging lawmakers to hold the bill for the summer for further study.
