TMS almost fixed

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TMS almost fixed

JAMIE PRESTON OLMSTEAD, Register Citizen Staff

April 05, 2003

TORRINGTON-- Long the subject of considerable debate, conditions at Torrington Middle School are improving, and on-going repairs are nearly complete.

During a Friday afternoon press conference held in the office of Mayor Owen Quinn, City representatives were joined by Maurice Hoben, vice-president of O & G Industries, and school Superintendent Dr. Riccio to discuss improved conditions at TMS.The parents of TMS students have argued for nearly 12 months that conditions within the school include elevated dampness, lack of proper ventilation, mold and overall poor indoor air quality. These conditions, parents claim, have led to upper respiratory problems and trauma, as well as psychological and emotional damages.In a status report prepared by O & G Industries, Hoben identified numerous successes made to the building’s water infiltration issue, air quality and mold presence - three areas that allegedly exacerbated health problems for several students.The school, which was built according to standards set in place during the early 1990’s, experienced significant problems through leaking ridge caps, metal valleys and several leaks in portions of the building’s flat roof.According to the report, the school’s ridge caps, a protective cover mounting at the peak of each vaulted roof, were fully replaced during the fall of 2002 while under warranty. Metal valleys along the roof, also under warranty, were retrofitted during the fall of 2002 and saw additional examination by a contractor on March 28. Leaks associated with the school’s flashing and caulking have also been repaired, effective March 24."What we need is a really good hurricane to determine if there will be any further leaks," Hoben said.Attempts to bring TMS up to current state standards by increasing air volume by 250 percent have resulted in the intake of rain and snow along with fresh air - an issue that will be rectified during the summer months, the report said.The school’s heating and ventilation system, modified during the winter season, now allows for adequate air changes and air intake in compliance with state standards.The building’s air conditioning unit, originally built as an air cooling system, has also been significantly modified to allow for air-conditioning and dehumidification. The modification work, which began on March 25, will be operational effective May 1.Additional repairs, including the replacement of 12 leaky windows, will be completed prior to the start of the 2003-04 school year, Hoben said. Stained ceiling tiles and any carpets containing mold spores will also be replaced before students return to school in the fall."By the end of the summer of 2003, the Torrington Middle School will have addressed all issues affecting the interior environment," Hoben said. "The air quality will be retested to determine that it meets state standards and the modified air-conditioning system will provide a comfort zone never before experienced at Torrington Middle School."During the conference, Riccio thanked local parents for bringing TMS issues to the attention of the education board, and commended the City and school system for providing Torrington students with alternate education choices.In February of 2003, several students were pulled from classes at TMS and transferred to Southwest School in Torrington due to health problems allegedly caused by negligent conditions at the middle school."Following the lead of schools across the region, we have been able to offer parents more choices," Riccio said of the transfer of students from TMS to Southwest School. "I now encourage parents to take advantage of new choice available - Torrington Middle School."

©The Register Citizen 2003