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Committee hears progress and concerns on school construction and facilities: Martin work, HVAC parts, window gap and duct cleaning
Summary
The committee received updates on construction at Martin Middle School, Waddington and Riverside, and lengthy discussion covered missing HVAC parts (quoted at $90,000), a 3‑inch gap around new windows described as a possible fire hazard, regular duct cleaning and proposals to label maintenance trucks for accountability.
The East Providence School Committee received a multi‑topic facilities update covering construction milestones and recurring maintenance concerns that committee members said are affecting building conditions and operations.
Building projects: Facilities staff reported that Phase 1 of Martin Middle School is about 40 percent complete, with the third floor ready for paint and curtain wall glazing installed in the cafeteria and media center. At Waddington, contractors installed one mock‑up window and the project will pursue moisture‑mitigation work and DEM submission; the composting restroom selected for the baseball field has a 14‑week lead time and installation is planned for summer.
HVAC and missing parts: Committee members raised concern about what was described as more than $100,000 in optional HVAC “add‑ons” for the high school. Danny, a facilities staff member, said a vendor quoted approximately $90,000 for damper‑actuator and other add‑on work but that a controls contractor previously reset the system for about $3,000 and the district had seen no recurring problems since that reset. “They quoted us this $90,000,” Danny said; later he noted the reset “charged us about $3,000.” Administrators said the quoted work would increase efficiency but is not required for the system to function.
Window gap and fire‑protection review: Committee member Tony Ferreira and others pressed staff on a roughly 3‑inch gap above newly installed windows where the new frames sit inside the opening; staff said that gap has persisted for two years and that the architect and fire department are consulting on a compliant fix. Danny said the solution may require blown‑in insulation or rock wool to meet fire‑protection standards and that staff will get specifications from the architect and the fire marshal.
Duct cleaning and cafeteria debris: Facilities staff said duct cleaning is on a routine schedule and that filters were cleaned in February with a broader cleaning planned for June. Several committee members disputed that schedule after receiving reports and photographs of debris falling into cafeterias during meal service; members asked staff to share photos and to prioritize problem areas.
Maintenance vehicles and accountability: Committee members discussed labeling district maintenance trucks to indicate division (electrical, plumbing, painting) and numbering vehicles for maintenance tracking. Some members said decals would help residents identify why a vehicle was at a school and improve accountability; staff said trucks are already numbered for maintenance and Chartwells decals are pending.
Committee members asked staff to return with cost estimates and timelines for fixes, requested architect/fire marshal specs for the window gap, and discussed rescheduling the facilities subcommittee so more members can attend. Several members urged a consolidated list of deferred maintenance items and one‑time funding options to address backlog repairs.
No formal votes were taken on facilities items during the meeting; staff committed to provide specs and cost estimates at future meetings.
