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s Gas valve assembly showing orifice.
CO ...
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From page 6 CO alarm to be installed outside of each sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedroom, and on each level of the dwelling. Standard practice is to also install an alarm in the garage. The alarms must be hard-wired with a back-up battery and connected to other alarms so when one detector is set off, all the detectors sound the alarm as well. (In homes constructed before then, any work that requires a permit also triggers the requirement for CO alarms.)
Despite this, neither the fire department nor the sheriff’s department found any CO monitors installed in the new home. Gary Orr, owner of Shoreline Electric, installed the electrical system in the house. Reached by the All Point Bulletin, Orr said, “I can guarantee you that there was a CO alarm installed in the living room at the time the house was inspected by the county.”
When asked about the need for multiple alarms, Orr said there was a conflict between what the state and county required and that people typically used the more relaxed county standards. However, the Whatcom County Plan Review and Construction Guide is equally restrictive as it incorporates Washington Administrative Code into its guidelines. Given the county and state requirements and the home’s sleeping configurations, the house should have had a minimum of four CO detectors and possibly more.
The home was constructed by Optimum Contracting owned by Eric and Christina Johnson. When contacted for comment about the deaths, Eric Johnson replied, “Very sad.” He was unaware that Andgar had failed to convert the boiler for propane use nor was he aware that the house contained no CO monitors. “I don’t know how it could have passed final inspection without those monitors,” he said.
Approving residential electrical work is the responsibility of the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. When the Bellingham office was contacted, the All Point Bulletin was told that inspectors would also examine hard-wired alarm systems before signing off on the work.
The All Point Bulletin contacted Whatcom County Planning and Development and asked how the house was able to receive a final occupancy permit given the obvious deficiencies with the furnace installation and the lack of CO detectors. They were also asked if the county had begun a review of other projects given occupancy permits by the same county employee or other projects that involved Andgar and/or the contractor and electrician that worked on this particular house.
In response, planning department assistant director Steve Roberge replied, “Whatcom County is aware of the tragic occurrence at 549 Calder Road in Point Roberts. We are still learning more details about this situation and extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Gail Amundsen and Murray Church, longtime residents of Point Roberts. The safety of our community is our paramount objective, and the process of reviewing police, fire, and other related reports is underway. We will continue to work with our partner agencies to ensure the highest standard of safety here in Whatcom County.
“According to preliminary reports, carbon monoxide poisoning was the cause of the deaths, and the source of the carbon monoxide was likely related to a furnace located in the basement of the home.
“We know that the house was inspected by our staff prior to occupancy. At the time of inspection, the house was approved for occupancy. Carbon monoxide detectors are required for new construction and are included in the final inspection review.
“We understand that the community wants to know more about the circumstances surrounding this tragedy, and we appreciate your patience as we painstakingly work to shed light on them.”
Whatcom County deputy chief Kevin Hester confirmed in a December 13 email to the All Point Bulletin that the sheriff’s department investigation into the deaths had been closed as the deaths were classified as “accidental.”
The couple’s family has retained local attorney Mark Stowe to help determine the family’s course of action. From page 1 committee chair Stephen Falk’s term, two at-large positions became available which were filled by Katherine Smith and Grant Heitman following an online election.
March
• Trinity Community Lutheran Church launched a fundraising campaign to make urgently needed structural improvements to the 108-year-old building. • Covid-19 vaccinations got underway on the Point through a collaboration between the local fire department and the SuperTrack Point Roberts clinic. • Diners lined up for the drive-through senior center lunches being offered while Covid-19 restrictions remained in place. • As Whatcom County moved into Phase 2 the library, the history center and local restaurants were able to open to the public with certain restrictions. • Over 50 community members attended a virtual townhall meeting with county executive representative Jed Holmes and county council member Ben Elenbaas to talk about the future of PRCAC. There was strong consensus the committee needed to see some changes but shutting it down was the wrong way to make them. • Rumors that homeless people were coming to the Point on the ferry and being returned to the mainland by deputies were debunked by the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.
April
• The vigorous vaccination program at the Benson Road fire station had vaccinated 489 Point Roberts resident with at least one dose. • PRCAC members committed to keep the committee rolling through 2021, addressing executive Sidhu’s recommendations to increase the effectiveness of the committee while tackling local issues that need attention, from seawall erosion to economic recovery from Covid-19. Two of three member organizations met all of Sidhu’s criteria for a spot on the board while the chamber of commerce met all but the requirement for meetings open to the public. • Whatcom County Council voted to renew Cando Recycling and Disposal’s lease the Johnson Road transfer station despite questions from PRCAC about why rent for the local transfer station remained significantly higher than at other transfer stations in the county. • Unpermitted road work and ditching on a property at the intersection of Tyee Drive and APA Road drew the attention of county code enforcement officials. • The Washington State Department of Agriculture urged Whatcom County residents to keep their eye open for Asian giant hornets waking from winter hibernation. The first nest in the U.S. was eradicated in Blaine the previous October. • The buoy off of Lily Point was the turn back southward for racers in the WA360 race. • Whether Point Roberts residents transiting through Canada needed to use the new ArriveCAN app for people arriving in Canada remained a murky question. • Staff at Lighthouse Marine Park prepared for the potential reopening of the campground for the season. • Circle of Care continued gathering input and discussing ideas for what facilities and seniors need to allow them to stay on the Point as they grow older. • Washington moved to phase three of governor Jay Inslee’s Roadmap to Recovery reopening plan. • The Whatcom County Library System opened a new online bookstore for county residents. • Point Roberts Marketplace owner Ali Hayton spoke out to dispel rumors the local grocery store would be closing if the border didn’t reopen by May.
May
• Fire chief Christopher Carleton approached the Washington congressional delegation with the idea of using Point
(See YIR, page 8)
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