Select Board directs RFP for demolition after hazardous‑material testing raises PCB concerns at old Dixon/Wixsand school

Town officials told the Select Board on Aug. 12 that additional hazardous-material testing at the former Dixon/Wixsand school found areas that have not yet been tested for PCBs in exterior and interior doors and windows. Staff and consultants advised that if PCBs are confirmed, removal would require cutting concrete masonry units around openings and removing windows and doors; that work would trigger significant structural remediation and substantially increase costs.

Assistant Town Administrator Greg Rontold briefed the board on the testing and said professionals "recommend demolition" in many scenarios because attempting to preserve a shell after extensive PCB and asbestos removal would likely leave the structure unsafe or require expensive shoring and repairs. He said the estimated cost for full demolition and hazardous-waste removal used in planning was approximately $4,000,000 as a professional estimate, but that bids could come in lower or higher depending on market conditions and specifics of contamination.

Board members expressed concern about the large estimate, the limited number of appropriate disposal sites for contaminated waste, and the timing required to prepare an RFP and advertise for bids. The board voted unanimously to direct staff to prepare and issue an RFP for demolition and full hazardous-waste removal, to develop a firm cost estimate and timeline suitable for presentation at the next town meeting or a special session as appropriate.

The board emphasized timing considerations (allowing adequate bid windows and the possibility of off-season pricing) and noted staff will seek to time contractor selection and pricing close to town-meeting appropriation to reduce price-hold risk.