Tiverton committee approves four emergency capital requests: chimney change order, records digitization, sprinkler inspections, dugout fencing

The Tiverton School Committee approved four separate emergency capital requests at the March meeting: a chimney demolition change order, a records digitization contract, a five‑year sprinkler system inspection, and a not-to-exceed purchase for baseball dugout fencing.

Mr. Andre presented four projects he called emergencies. For the chimney demolition he said bids had assumed a three-layer chimney but crews found five layers, increasing labor, dump costs and equipment time; the presentation noted the vendor remained the lowest bidder even with the change order. The committee moved and approved a change-order request (motion language in the packet cited $38,800 in the motion).

The committee approved a request to proceed with digitizing historic student records. Administrators said the district currently uses microfiche and older images have degraded; the quoted vendor (Konica Minolta) submitted an estimate of $10,746 to digitize nine boxes of student records, 62 rolls of microfilm and 36 CDs. Committee members raised questions about retention periods (one administrator said seven years by law), the confidentiality and transport of original records while the work is done, and whether handling would include secure “white glove” packing and transport; administration said destruction of old files would be handled by the district rather than the vendor and that detailed logistics would be fleshed out during procurement. Committee approved permission to go to bid and to request the project be placed on the town council agenda.

The committee approved moving forward with sprinkler system inspections at all five schools at an estimated cost of $8,500. Administration said the inspections are required every five years and would take place during April vacation; the quoted amount covers the inspections only and not repairs.

Finally, the committee approved a not-to-exceed $5,000 amount to install a minimum three-foot protective netting on the field side of baseball dugouts. The request followed a coach’s safety concerns and cited an NCAA report noting the measure as a safety standard; administrators said some districts already include similar protection and that school maintenance or DPW staff might install materials in-house to lower cost.

All four items were approved and will be forwarded to the town council where required. Committee members asked administration to safeguard student records in transit, to provide documentation for town review and to clarify whether capital items are eligible for gaming revenue assistance where applicable.