During recent big rain storms, water poured through the ceiling and into barrels in the elementary school cafeteria, Superintendent Linda Dwight told the School Committee last week. Other leaks dripped into buckets and barrels throughout the building. She said the roof needs repairs so that the school can “limp through the next three years” until the new elementary school is completed.
At the School Committee’s Sept. 24 meeting, Dwight requested up to $24,000 for the repairs, based on an estimate received by school Facilities Director Jon Snyer. Repairs would include taking up the roof’s rubber membrane, resecuring as much of it as remains usable, and redoing its flashing. Any wet insulation beneath the membrane would be removed, allowed to dry, and reinstalled. Reusing the old materials would keep costs substantially lower, Dwight said.
Dwight emphasized that the repairs are a stopgap measure and would not solve the problem of ice dams or the poor design of the existing roof, which is “in terrible condition,” according to those who did the estimate.
Committee members expressed concern about spending money to repair a building soon to be replaced, but acknowledged that it does have to remain usable until 2021. After some discussion, the committee unanimously approved allocating money from the Devens fund for the repairs. The Devens fund is money the school district receives from MassDevelopment for educating students who live in Devens.
With the School Committee’s approval of funding, Snyer plans to seek three bids for the project based on the specifications developed for the estimate. Ideally, Dwight said, the work should be done before winter sets in
