RSU 40/MSAD 40 outlines summer facilities work, asbestos abatement and water upgrades

The RSU 40/MSAD 40 Facilities Subcommittee heard a detailed summer work plan Wednesday, with facilities director Brian Rice outlining asbestos abatement at the high school, installation of a water-treatment system and progress on a biomass heating building funded by a recently passed bond.

Rice said crews are forming footers for the biomass building and expect to pour frost walls shortly. He estimated the project is roughly 30 days behind the original schedule but said no equipment is backordered and staff remain confident the heating system will be ready in the late October–early November window.

Turning to the high school, Rice described a phased asbestos-abatement sequence beginning with the cafeteria. Contractors will tent affected areas, create negative-pressure containment and filter exhaust through several HEPA stages; the initial setup is expected to take about three days. Rice said the district reduced this year’s scope to stop at the industrial-arts wing to avoid disrupting teachers, leaving some areas (music room, weight room, portions of science labs) for later work. He estimated total abatement this year will be in the 65,000–75,000 square-foot range.

Rice described the abatement process: removal and grinding of tile mastic to leave a bare concrete slab, followed later by decisions on final floor finishes. He said the district will likely return tile in many areas and expects some hallways and labs to have concrete floors across two school years while sewer and other remodeling proceed.

Rice also briefed the committee on a water-treatment upgrade. Crews began removing existing boilers to make room for the new system, and the district is awaiting a state permit expected in mid-July. Once installed, the system will include arsenic treatment and additional storage capacity to reduce the risk of running out of water during high-demand events; the system will be certified by state testing before standard use.

On moving logistics, Rice said Pro Crow Movers (Waterville) will bring a 10-person crew to relocate classroom contents out of wings scheduled for abatement. He emphasized that abatement will isolate each wing so limited access remains available for administrators and other staff in unaffected areas.

Rice said the middle-school water retest returned zero for the earlier concern, a result confirmed by the district’s water-quality contractor and the system operator.

The committee did not take formal action on these items but discussed sequencing and contingency planning. The subcommittee’s next board meeting is set for July 2, when members expect to review bid estimates for some capital projects.

The committee adjourned at 6:27 p.m.