News

Why we need a bond
Information about the upcoming bond vote

By The MSAD 15 Facilities Upgrade & Renovation Committee (FURC)

Previous articles have helped people who couldn't attend the meetings keep abreast of the committee's work. In all 18 people have been involved on the committee, Citizens, Administrators, Board members, a Teacher and two Architects from the Portland Design Team (PDT). The Board accepted the committee's recommendations and voted last week to submit a bond to voters that will fund work at all five of our schools. Below, FURC Chair and SAD 15 Board member Peter Pinkerton signing the bond warrant.

This article, which will focus on building code, accessibility and health issues, is one in a series that will appear between now and the November 8th vote.

Building codes (which include electrical, fire and air quality codes) change over time. Over the last 4 or 5 decades our schools, like the those in other communities scattered across the country have grown and aged in stages. Both Memorial and Russell were built in 1948 and both had additions built in the early 1960's. In 1962 we built our High School and added on to all three again in the late 1960's and 1970's.

In 1989 we built a new Middle School and in 1998 we renovated the 45 year old infirmary at Pineland into the Burchard A. Dunn Elementary School.
All of the codes have changed since these buildings were built, some quite significantly. We need to replace worn out wiring and plumbing at Memorial, Russell and parts of the High School (science labs and locker rooms). In addition to the wiring that needs to be replaced, many of the older classrooms only have 2 outlets which isn't nearly enough today. In a variety of locations around the District we need to upgrade the wiring for electrical, intercom and our fire and security systems. Below, New Gloucester Town manager Rosemary Kulow takes notes while Selectmen chair Steve Libby reads the warrant, with Vice-Chair Kevin Sullivan to his left and Selectmen Dale Maschino listen.

At Russell, Memorial and the High School there are fire safety improvements that are needed, such as fire doors and closure mechanisms as well as updating fire wall partitions. The committee's discussions on fire safety issues provides some real insight as to how well the committee worked. It's a great example of how the committee worked to assure solutions would completely resolve a problem in as fiscally a conservative way as possible. It was recommended to the committee that we consider fire sprinklers in several areas.

Sprinklers are becoming more the norm in renovations and new construction. Members asked if sprinklers, which are expensive to install and maintain, were the only good solution. PDT had discussions with local and state fire officials about sprinklers and in the end it was determined that upgrading fire doors and walls would in fact meet the requirements of the code without the expense of sprinklers.Below, Gray Council Chair Gary Foster signs the bond warrant while Councilor Skip Crane waits his turn.

After construction of the Middle School standards outlining how buildings should be ventilated changed considerably. While the original equipment can and has been adjusted to meet these new standards, parts of the building, primarily the hallways are not serviced by the present system. The Dunn school also has some spaces that are not vented adequately ventilated that will be resolved by this bond. Any air quality issue discovered in our schools will be resolved through this bond.

Anyone who has lived in town for a while knows the District has battled excess moisture problems at the Middle school. Some are caused by drainage off the roof and some are the result of water running down from Libby Hill. Excess moisture can cause structural problems for the building and health problems for people as a result of mold and mildew.

There is money in this bond to provide permanent solutions for both these issues.

Access to the older portions of buildings will be resolved with this bond too. Adjustments to doorways, walkways, bathroom fixtures and drinking fountains are among some of the items that will be improved. Ramps, railings and other adjustments will be made to help the District comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Left, Superintendent Victoria Burns explains the bond proposal.

All told just over 5 million dollars (about half of the total) will be spent to bring all five of our schools up to date with regards to building codes, health, safety and accessibility issues. A total of 34 applications for state renovation funds were submitted for this work and as a result 40% of the total cost of the bond will be financed with state money or state loans. Now is the time to take advantage of these funds and make these basic improvements to our school facilities.

Watch for future articles that will explain other aspects of the bond and announce the dates, times and locations of public forums where you can come ask questions and get more information.

Photos: Elizabeth Prata, The Monument Newspaper