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Council approves up to $15,550 change order for asbestos removal at Rock Avenue demolition
Summary
Burrillville authorized an additional change order of up to $15,550 for asbestos remediation and demolition at a Rock Avenue property after the structure partially collapsed and remediation conditions changed, with a lien to be placed on the property for costs.
The Burrillville Town Council on July 9 approved a change order authorizing up to $15,550 in additional funds for asbestos removal and demolition at a hazardous residence on Rock Avenue after contractors found collapsed structural elements that changed remediation requirements.
Town officials said the demolition contractor initially bid a price that included a $10,000 allowance for asbestos remediation. On June 20 the contractor reported asbestos in flooring, furnace components, chimney flues and some wall coverings. When crews arrived they found the roof had collapsed through the second floor into the first floor, creating unsafe entry conditions and requiring the town to treat all removed material as contaminated and haul it under hazardous‑waste handling protocols.
“You cannot get in the building safely anymore to remediate that asbestos,” the building official told councilors, explaining the change in method from targeted asbestos removal to removal of contaminated debris under sealed handling procedures. Officials said the additional $15,550 covers the higher disposal and remediation costs caused by the collapse. The contractor’s original bid price for demolition was $28,140; the change order increases town costs for the project.
Councilors discussed whether the contractor should receive a credit for work the contractor no longer performs (for example, debris trucking that the contractor would otherwise have paid). Town staff said they would seek clarification and verification from the contractor about any allowable credits and that the building official would verify whether further credits could be obtained before funds are expended.
The council motion authorized the change order to proceed from the Major Capital account (fund 3820) and directed the building official to verify that no further credits were available; the town also placed a lien on the property to recover demolition costs. Councilors were told the property owner has been difficult to reach and that the town had earlier attempted condemnation and other remedies.
Action on the measure: Motion to approve up to $15,550 for asbestos removal/change order passed on voice vote. The motion included a condition that the building official verify whether any further credits from the contractor are available.
