Timberlane board approves removal of high-school canopy, orders repoured concrete and bollards

The Timberlane Regional School District school board voted April 3 to approve a revised scope for the high‑school front canopy project: remove the existing canopy, repour about 250 feet of concrete along the front entrance and install bollards for vehicle protection, all at the previously approved contract price of $47,765.

The board took the step after hearing two options presented by EEI, the district’s contractor: fully remove the canopy and replace the sidewalk so the front entrance looks uniform, or repair the existing concrete slab and install a new roof membrane to extend the canopy’s life for roughly 20 years. Mike Davey of EEI presented both options and told the board, “Option 1 at no additional cost would be EEI will re pour 250 feet of concrete and remove the columns all the way down below the existing sidewalk.”

Board members debated the tradeoffs between weather protection and long‑term appearance and maintenance. Some members said the canopy is visibly deteriorated and that removing it would improve the building’s look and eliminate many small patch repairs to the concrete. Others noted that keeping a canopy provides weather protection for students and staff waiting at arrival and dismissal. The approved option removes the canopy and adds bollards at the main entry to reduce the risk of vehicles accidentally entering pedestrian areas.

Jack Sapien, school board member, said the bollard option answered his safety concerns: “All it takes is some brother or sister or grandmother dropping their child off, turn around, goodbye, and step on the gas instead of the brakes. So I like the idea of the bollards there.”

The board’s motion to approve the revised scope, described in the motion as “option 1,” also specified using fiscal‑year 2025 funds and maintaining the original project quote of $47,765. The motion was moved by Jack Sapien and seconded by Alyssa (last name not specified in the record) and passed by voice vote.

Contractor EEI indicated the approved scope will include installation of nine bollards at the primary entrance; board members asked staff and the contractor to return with per‑bollard pricing and options for extending bollard protection to the secondary entrance if the board elects to add them later. The contractor also noted that certain bollard styles include lighting options and that adding lights would be an additional cost and would require electrical work.

The board directed EEI to proceed under the approved scope and to submit final drawings and bollard options for administrative approval. Work is to be funded from FY25 monies previously allocated to the project and executed under the previously accepted contract amount.

The discussion and vote were part of the board’s regularly scheduled April 3 meeting, during which board members and district staff emphasized safety, long‑term maintenance, and visual appearance when weighing the options.

The district provided no specific timeline for construction in the public discussion on April 3; the contractor said the vendor would honor the previously approved price and return with material/style options for the bollards.