Sharon committee to recommend roof work after garage inspection

The Town Garage Building Committee on June 4 agreed that replacing or substantially repairing the roof of the Town Highway Garage should be the committee's top short-term priority and will communicate that recommendation to the Sharon Selectboard at its June 15 meeting.

The decision follows a structural review of the garage. Committee member Jack Jones reported that the roof currently lacks sheathing and that roofing nails are attached directly to the strapping. He said the engineer conducted basic sound testing of the concrete but did not take core samples because the inspection scope excluded cores for cost reasons. Jones additionally asked contractors to remove material around windows in areas where the roof showed evidence of leaking to inspect for moisture.

The committee noted the structural report found the building overall to be in good condition, with minimal evidence of rot or mold despite long-term concerns about leaks. The report, however, did not include a full truss inspection and recommended hiring an engineer to examine the trusses if and when the roof is replaced to determine whether the trusses are structurally sound.

Committee members agreed to prioritize the roof and to present that priority to the Selectboard at the June 15 meeting. The group also committed to preparing and providing a draft recommendation report that lays out short-term, mid-term and long-term plans for the building; the committee expects to start that draft in early July.

The committee set its next meeting for Thursday, July 2 at 3:30 PM. The June 4 meeting convened at 3:01 PM and adjourned at 4:26 PM. Minutes were respectfully submitted by Nicola Shipman.