East Longmeadow School Committee Tackles Water Line Challenges Amid School Construction
- Meeting Overview:
The East Longmeadow School Committee meeting on May 1, 2025, was dominated by discussions of infrastructure issues related to the ongoing construction project at the new school site. Among the topics was the need to address a leaking 16-inch asbestos water line beneath the tennis courts and the implications for the project’s timeline and budget.
22:56The committee focused on the discovery of a leaking asbestos water line running beneath the tennis courts, which required immediate attention. A company was brought in to precisely locate the line, preventing potential complications that could have arisen if construction had continued without this knowledge. The committee discussed plans to replace the asbestos line with a parallel ductile iron line, a project estimated to cost around $250,000. This move was necessary to ensure that the water supply to the nearby American Saw facility remained uninterrupted while construction progressed. The committee highlighted the urgency of convening a School Building Committee meeting to address this issue promptly.
29:36The discussion also covered the logistics of maintaining water service during the construction activities. A strategy involving the installation of a gate valve was proposed to redirect the water supply. The committee acknowledged the significance of the 16-inch line, which served a substantial portion of the town.
17:10Attention then turned to the ongoing construction progress at the school site, where various components were advancing on schedule. The committee reviewed updates on the procurement process, which included recent bids for doors, hardware, gym equipment, and landscaping packages. The completion of plumbing work and the advancement of electrical work to 60% in one of the buildings were noted as key milestones.
The construction of the pool building also featured prominently in the updates. Excavation was nearing completion, with contractors preparing to mobilize for drainage work and the installation of the stone layer, a critical step in the timeline for the facility’s completion. The committee emphasized the importance of coordinating these activities to ensure timely progress.
06:11In a related discussion, the committee addressed the management of furniture from Tyonic High School, which was being dismantled. Considerations were made about storing the furniture, though concerns about potential damage during handling and limited storage space were raised. It was suggested that any storage ideally occur on-site, with the expectation that the school would be available for a brief period to facilitate this process.
26:57The meeting also highlighted concerns regarding the fire protection system in one of the buildings. A new pressure test was required, as the previous test conducted two years prior was no longer valid. The current pressure was deemed inadequate for safety requirements, posing a notable change order item with potential costs of around $200,000. The committee explored possible causes for the pressure drop, such as changes in irrigation practices or inaccuracies in previous tests. A call was made to consult with a firm about upgrading a pump station on Chestnut Street, although there was skepticism about its effectiveness in resolving the current issues.
Gordon Smith
School Board Officials:
Gregory Thompson, Sarah Truoiolo, Kathleen Leydon, Antonella Raschilla Manzi, Aimee Dalenta
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Meeting Type:
School Board
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Committee:
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Meeting Date:
05/01/2025
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Recording Published:
05/02/2025
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Duration:
36 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
Massachusetts
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County:
Hampden County
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Towns:
East Longmeadow
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