Council OKs Gilman St. School repairs

[Guest guest]

http://www.centralmaine.com/news/stories/020925city_cou.shtml

Wednesday, September 25, 2002

Council OKs Gilman St. School repairs

By AMY CALDER, Staff Writer

WATERVILLE - City councilors at a special meeting Tuesday night voted 3-2 to

award a $344,800 contract to L.N. Violette Co. of Fairfield to replace the

roof and a boiler at Gilman Street School.

Those supporting the expenditure said the roof leaks when it rains, sending

water into the walls and closets, and the repairs would stop more

deterioration, and stabilize the structure.

" If you do nothing, eventually the building will have to be torn down, or it

won't be inhabitable - it will crumble, " said Toner, the city's Parks

and Recreation director.

But councilors H. Kellenberger, D-Ward 1 and Tammie A. Cote-Vigue,

D-Ward 7, said residents can not afford to spend that much money for a

building that may ultimately require up to $6 million to fix.

" I, personally, am opposed to accepting this bid, " Kellenberger said.

Cote-Vigue suggested that if the expenditure is approved, voters ought to be

able to decide at a referendum whether they want to keep the building and

put more money into it, long-term.

" I agree with Councilor Kellenberger - $344,800 is a lot of money for

stabilization, " she said.

The old school houses administrative offices, the alternative school,

storage for the Police Department, some adult education space, and other

activities.

L.N. Violette was the lowest of four bidders for the project. The other

bidders were Northeast Industrial, of Winthrop, which bid $363,998;

Norcoeur, of Westbrook, which bid $426,615; and Bowman Brothers, of Newport,

which bid $432,926.

Toner said replacement of the boiler and roof comprise the first phase of

work needed on the building. Other problems are related to masonry, windows,

piping, ventilation and an elevator that needs an upgrade, he said.

For the first phase, one of two old boilers in the gymnasium will be

replaced with two smaller ones, he said. The roof will be replaced on the

center of the building, as well as on two adjacent roofs, he said.

Roofs over the west wing and gymnasium will not be replaced, as they were

replaced in the last 10 or 15 years, he said.

Councilor Rosemary J. Winslow, D-Ward 3, is a member of the Gilman Street

School Committee which has been pursuing renovations to the building.

She said three years ago the committee asked realtors to see if the building

was saleable.

" There were no takers, " she said.

Council Chairman Dana W. Sennett, D-Ward 5, said he did not want to see the

old building go the way of other landmarks in the city that were torn down

or lost to age-related problems.

" I'd like to think we could make an investment to curtail the deterioration

now and try to save it, " he said.

But Kellenberger would not budge, saying mold will be a problem in the

building because of all the moisture, and that will be costly to remedy.

" It is going to be close to $6 million when you get in there and find that

mold, and you're going to find it, folks, " he said. " You're going to find

those hidden costs in that building. "

He and Cote-Vigue voted against awarding the contract; Sennett, Winslow and

Councilor Antone " T.J. " Tavares, D-Ward 6, voted to award it. Councilor

A. Goulette, D-Ward 2, was absent from the meeting.

Amy Calder - 861-9247

acalder@...

Copyright © 2002 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.