Selectmen waive bidding rule to clear Whit School debris as EPA-funded abatement approaches

The Stafford Board of Selectmen voted to waive the town’s formal bidding ordinance so contractors can remove accumulated debris from the Whit School and keep the EPA-funded abatement on schedule.

Amber, a town staff member, told the board that a May walkthrough with the abatement contractor showed large quantities of miscellaneous materials — wheelchairs, lawnmowers, printers, furniture, exercise equipment and other items — that are not eligible under the EPA grant because they are not part of the building’s hazardous materials. “These materials would interfere with the environmental abatement and the cleanup work scheduled to take place this summer,” Amber said, adding that removal must be complete for abatement to start in July and that no additional expenditures can be incurred after Sept. 30 under the funding window.

Staff reported they have obtained three standalone quotes in the $30,000–$60,000 range and have asked abatement bidders to include debris removal as an add-on; Amber said the town will select the best-value option to preserve the project timeline. Public works personnel estimated about 550–650 cubic yards of items — roughly 20–25 standard 30-yard dumpsters — would need removal. The board confirmed fixed structures such as bleachers will remain in place and are not part of the removal work.

The board approved the waiver by voice vote and authorized staff to proceed with contractor selection and a short special meeting to name contractors after bids close. Amber said the town will use a mix of internal capital-project accounts and other line items to cover the non-grant-eligible disposal costs and will perform any necessary transfers through the normal budget process.

Staff also announced a public information meeting on the Whit School cleanup for Wednesday, June 17 at 6 p.m. in the town hall to review the health-and-safety plan, timeline and engineering oversight and to take questions from residents.

Separately, staff reported two proposals in response to the town’s adaptive-reuse request: a plan from Michael’s Development Company for a mixed-use redevelopment including 48 affordable units for residents 55 and older with a public commons, and a concept from the YMCA of Greater Hartford to convert the building into a multi-purpose community center offering child care, youth programming and senior services. Amber said both proposals will be posted online (with financial details redacted on request) and that staff will invite the proposers to present to the board and public.

Next steps: staff will close bids the coming Monday, compare standalone removal quotes with abatement-contractor add-ons, call a short special meeting to name contractors, and host the June 17 public meeting to discuss cleanup and reuse options.