Portsmouth Council approves urgent $900K roof repair for High School

During the Portsmouth Town Council meeting on April 14, 2025, a critical discussion centered around the urgent need for repairs to the Portsmouth High School roof. The deteriorating condition of the roof has prompted the school department to initiate emergency repairs, with the bid process recently completed. Mr. Raynor, a council member, presented the details, highlighting that the school department has selected the lowest qualified bidder, Commercial Roofing and Contracting.

To finance the project, the school department has earmarked $900,000 from its capital reserve. Additionally, there is $572,465 available in the builder impact fee account, which is designated for school capital projects. Mr. Raynor proposed that the council approve the use of these impact fee funds for the urgent repairs and suggested covering any remaining costs through the town's unassigned fund balance. He emphasized that this approach is a responsible use of reserves, given the emergency nature of the repairs. Furthermore, he recommended that any funds drawn from the unassigned balance be replenished in the future from general fund surpluses.

Dr. Kenworthy, the superintendent of the school department, provided further insights into the bidding process and project timeline. He confirmed that the school committee approved the bid on April 8 and outlined two roofing options: a single-ply membrane with a life expectancy of 20 years and a modified BitImmune roof replacement with a 30-year life expectancy. While the recommendation leans towards the 30-year option due to the high school and middle school roofs' mechanical nature, the final decision rests with the council based on available funding.

The discussion also touched on the age of the building, which is now 60 years old. Some council members expressed concerns about the longevity of a 20-year roof, suggesting that it may not be a viable long-term solution if the building is expected to be replaced in the near future.

In conclusion, the Portsmouth Town Council's deliberations on the high school roof repairs underscore the pressing need for infrastructure maintenance in the community. The council's decision on funding will significantly impact the school’s ability to address these urgent repairs and ensure a safe learning environment for students. The next steps will involve finalizing the funding sources and determining the timeline for the roof replacement project.