Roof Project Goes to Town Meeting in Westbrook, Connecticut

WESTBROOK - A proposed project that would replace the roof of the Daisy Ingraham Elementary School is expected to go to a town meeting set for Mar. 13.

Dennis Hallahan, Chairman of the Daisy Ingraham Elementary School Roof Committee, stated at the Feb. 7 Board of Selectmen meeting, that several estimates for a new roof have been received by the committee.

Hallahan estimates the roof replacement project will cost $1,240,000 which includes asbestos removal.

At the Feb. 22 Board of Selectmen meeting, First Selectman Noel Bishop said, that he believes residents will need to bond the financing since there is not enough money in the town's unallocated fund balance to cover the cost.

In December, residents voted to use $39,900 out of the unallocated fund balance to pay for architectural and engineering expenses to Kaestle Boos Associates.

While the committee had studied the feasibility of installing solar panels on top of the new roof, Hallahan said members decided that this costly option yielded little gain.

Bishop expects the town meeting agenda will also have an item asking residents to approve an ordinance that would create a clear policy regarding the legal posting of projects the town puts out for bid.

Residents at the meeting are also expected to vote on a proposal by Superintendent of Schools Patricia Charles to create the Daisy Ingraham Fire Alarm Building Committee.

The formation of this committee, Charles said at the Feb. 22 Board of Selectmen meeting, is to allow the town to be able to receive grant money from the State Department of Education.

There appears to be no time limit the district must abide by in order to receive the grant, Charles said.

Residents were initially told at a town meeting in December that they would have to foot the entire $99,000 bill for a new fire alarm system replacing an aging system in which spare parts are difficult to find.

When asked whether a committee would need to be formed to receive the $82,604.54 state grant money for the $299,000 security improvements project for the elementary, middle, and high schools, Charles said she did not believe such a committee would be necessary.

It is expected that the town meeting will also allow residents to vote to dissolve the Senior Tax Freeze Committee since, according to member Joel Maynard, the committee's work has finished.