Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Facilities Asbestos topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Select Board approves boarding for vacant Wixson School, directs spring article on asbestos abatement
Summary
After a Department of Labor Standards memo on asbestos obligations, the board approved spending $42,116.11 to board first‑ and second‑floor windows at Wixson School, disbanded the temporary Wixson committee and directed staff to prepare a spring Town Meeting article for asbestos abatement funding.
Town staff told the board that the Department of Labor Standards requires initial licensed asbestos cleaning for the unoccupied Wixson School and ongoing cleaning/training for any staff who enter the building. Staff presented cost estimates: an initial licensed asbestos cleaning of $269,000 and recurring cleaning over 11 months calculated at $463,002.76. Given the cost and public‑safety issues from vandalism, staff recommended boarding the building while the board determines long‑term disposition.
"The required initial asbestos cleaning by a licensed asbestos company is $269,000," the town administrator reported, and added the monthly‑program math that produced the larger recurring cost figure. Several board members said the costs are prohibitive to keep the building open and supported immediate protective measures. One member said, "I'd rather take some of the money that we might be spending in this building and put it towards a new community center," while another urged keeping the property for future municipal use rather than selling it.
The board voted unanimously to approve a ServiceMaster estimate of $42,116.11 to board the first‑ and second‑floor windows and passed a motion to disband the temporary Wixson Building Committee with thanks for their work. The board also approved a motion directing staff to prepare a spring Town Meeting article to fund full asbestos abatement for consideration in May.
Members asked staff to return with options and recommended a future agenda item to consider forming a new committee or charge to plan a municipal community center if the board chooses to pursue long‑term reuse. The board did not commit to abatement funding tonight beyond directing staff to prepare a warrant article for spring Town Meeting.
