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Polson HVAC project moves forward; committee OKs invoices as contractors plan exterior asbestos abatement
Summary
The School Building HVAC Project Committee for Polson received a construction update March 3, 2026, including discovery of a small amount of asbestos in an exterior damp-proofing layer and a planned exterior abatement that will require the school to shut down at 4 p.m. that day; the panel also approved two invoices for work on the project.
The School Building HVAC Project Committee for Polson heard a construction progress briefing Tuesday and approved two project invoices after being told contractors found a small amount of asbestos in an exterior wall and planned an exterior abatement that will require a limited school shutdown.
The committee opened the March 3 meeting at 8:00 a.m. and moved quickly to a construction update. The project manager provided the briefing, saying the team was "right at the cusp of really getting moving" after snow delays and that contractors have set and enclosed the stair tower, installed scrim shading on the fence and posted the state DECD project sign to meet reporting requirements.
The project manager said destructive testing discovered "some asbestos-containing damp proofing" behind exterior masonry and described it as "literally just like a piece of tar paper." Because the material is exterior, he said contractors will follow exterior-abatement rules and "ensure that no kids are in the building." The team scheduled the exterior abatement for Thursday; the plan called for shutting down the school at 4:00 p.m. and starting abatement work at 5:00 p.m.
He added that demolition work will move into the electrical room once the damp-proofing is removed, and contractors will barricade entrances so workers can use the exterior doorway. The speaker also said the obstructing freezer previously outside the door had been removed; that change order was reduced from about $30,000 to approximately $7,000, a figure the speaker described as an estimate.
The project team also reported two contract credits awaiting paperwork: roughly $16,000 for electrical feeders and about $201,000 from a steel bid that came in under budget. The contractor returned the credit paperwork to add a missing fees credit; updated credit documents are expected next month.
After the update the committee approved two invoices: BL Company invoice 2302234.00-20 for $38,540 (construction administration, Dec. 27, 2025–Jan. 30, 2026) and Gilbain Building Company requisition 202603-J018 for $121,433.75 (through Feb. 28, 2026). A motion and second were recorded and the committee approved the invoices by voice vote.
There were no public comments. The committee adjourned at approximately 8:05 a.m. and will reconvene next month to receive the updated credit paperwork and additional progress reports.
