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Community center storage area shows water damage; asbestos concerns could raise repair costs
Summary
Town staff reported water damage in the community center's storage area and said initial investigation found asbestos-containing sealant in ceilings; officials plan combined asbestos-abatement and contractor inspection to scope repairs and produce estimates.
Town staff told the board that water damage discovered in a storage area adjacent to the community center’s bathrooms will require investigative demolition and may involve asbestos abatement, which will increase repair costs.
Staff said the bathroom portion of the building had been redone but the adjacent storage area showed signs of historic or continuing leaks. “There’s some significant water damage,” a town official said. They described hidden materials used in older construction and the risk of asbestos in ceiling compounds and sealants.
An engineering staff member described the immediate constraint: crews cannot safely access or open portions of the ceiling without asbestos abatement because the compound used in ceiling taping may contain asbestos. “The compound used in taping of it is asbestos,” the staff member said, and that the town will need an asbestos-abatement contractor on-site to safely explore the ceiling and locate the leak.
Officials said the first step is to engage the maintenance contractor who previously worked on the building and an asbestos abatement specialist to jointly open the space, define the scope and provide a cost estimate. They warned that demolition and abatement will be “a bit messy” and could be costly; staff also noted that in some cases rebuilding the section could approach the cost of a replacement building but said demolition of the whole structure isn’t currently planned.
Board members agreed to pursue an estimate and to budget for abatement and repair work once the condition is fully defined; staff said the town will pay the estimate cost given the asbestos issue.
No appropriation was approved during the meeting; staff will return with an estimate and recommended next steps.
