Subcommittee backs bids for Miller sewer repairs and Warren access road, recommends reserve-fund spending

The RSU 40/MSAD 40 Facilities Subcommittee voted to recommend that the full board authorize bids and release reserve funds to pursue two near-term facilities projects: sewer repairs and parking work at Miller Elementary and an access road at Warren Community School designed to reduce dangerous parent-vehicle backups onto Route 131.

Facilities director Brian Rice told the subcommittee the Miller Elementary site has a partially collapsed collection basin that has caused backups onto the school parking lot. He said the district needs to replace the catch basin(s) and the connecting sewer line; a combined repair-and-regrade estimate including paving was put at roughly $175,000 as a rough order of magnitude. Rice said work would include replacing the collection basin(s), repairing the sewer run, regrading the parking lot and repaving the outlined area.

On Warren Community School, Rice described recurring morning and afternoon backups that sometimes reach Route 90 and pose a safety concern. He proposed a one-way access route using an old campus entrance tied into the lower parking lot to separate parent drop-off from bus circulation. Early estimates Rice reported put a paved option at about $175,000 and a gravel-only option at a little over $100,000; Rice said he could pursue state assistance for discrete items such as upgraded, programmable solar school-zone lights.

Committee members debated whether to start with a gravel road as a test or pave now to avoid future higher costs and maintenance. Members noted management and enforcement would be required during rollout to create lasting habits among parents. The committee discussed an alternative alignment using an existing ‘road to nowhere’ (an old foundation area) that could preserve trees but would require additional widening, fill and culverts because of grade changes.

After discussion, a motion was made and seconded to recommend the board approve moving forward with the Warren road project and the Miller sewer/parking project and to expend from the district’s capital improvement/reserve funds for procurement and construction. The motion passed on a roll call recorded as 7–0. Rice said he will go to bid and return to the full board with estimates; the board vote was set for July 2.

No contractors were authorized at the meeting; the committee approved moving to the procurement phase and returning to the board for final contract approvals.

Action detail: motion to recommend the board approve bidding on the Warren access road and Miller sewer and to use reserve funds for those procurements; subcommittee vote recorded as 7–0 in favor.

The subcommittee adjourned at 6:27 p.m.