The Board of Health voted unanimously at its April 9 meeting to grant a variance to install carpeting in four of the five areas requested for the new school building. Carpeting will be allowed in the media center, guidance office, quiet room, and district administration offices. The board did not include the requested school administration offices in the variance.
The board prohibits installation, repair, or replacement of carpeting in any town-owned buildings because of prior experiences with moldy carpets in the elementary school. When Arrowstreet architect Emily Grandstaff-Rice initially came before the board at its March 26 meeting, members were not convinced of the need for carpet in the administration areas, and the hearing was continued.
This week, Grandstaff-Rice was questioned further on possible sources of moisture that might make its way into the carpets, including gutters that may fail. When she explained that the gutter system is internal to the building, not external, members worried that clogged gutters could cause leaks in the walls. Member Sharon McCarthy also worried about the increasing frequency of torrential rains in this area that could overwhelm the gutter system. Grandstaff-Rice explained that the roofs over the areas in question are pitched, and that the plan includes twice as many gutters as needed for the size of the building so there will be backup in case of heavy rains or clogs.
McCarthy asked for examples of schools where the internal gutter system is functioning without issues. Though Grandstaff-Rice offered to get that information, School Building Committee Chair SusanMary Redinger reminded the board that the project is due to go to bid April 26 and said she would “really appreciate a vote today.”
Board members considered and rejected two motions: one to approve carpeting for all five requested areas, and one to approve carpeting for all but the two office spaces. Redinger suggested allowing carpet in the district administration offices, which are rarely frequented by children, but leaving out the school administration offices. That set of areas proved to be just right, and the board granted the variance.
