By Dan Aceto

Staff Writer

Wentworth Intermediate School students could receive a breath of fresh air this fall if the Town Council allocates $150,000 for installation of 28 new sections of classroom windows.

Town Clerk Tody Justice in an e-mail Tuesday said the Town Council would hold a special meeting Wednesday after the Leader deadline to consider funding for removal of some existing windows in the north wing of the school. They would be replaced with new custom-fitted windows that will be allowed to open and close.

The money would be reallocated from unspent general obligation bonds from 2008. Funds would include $105,310 from the Blue Point parking/water main project; $8,604 from a system-wide asbestos flooring abatement; and $37,578 from a district-wide fire alarm system renewal.

Superintendent David Doyle said the School Board already has approved money for the windows and feedback from members was positive when the issue was first brought to the Town Council.

Northeast Test Consultants in August discovered the presence of asbestos on the outside glazing of window panels in the north wing of the school, which led to an order to keep all windows shut until a more permanent solution was found.

 “We’ve tried to move forward as quickly as possible,” Doyle said.

The windows could take approximately six to eight weeks to deliver since they will be custom manufactured to fit specifications of the school’s rooms. Doyle said he is unsure if they will arrive at once or periodically during the course of several weeks. 

Doyle said there are no plans now to replace all of the windows in each classroom of the north wing.
“The plan is to replace the building,” Doyle said. “If there is a referendum in 2011, the earliest we could see a new Wentworth would be in 2014.”

Once the windows arrive, the school plans to set up containment areas so asbestos is undisturbed. Workers will proceed with installations when students are out of school on weekends. If the windows arrive all at once, workers could perform the installation during Thanksgiving or winter break, Doyle said.

Doyle said the school has dealt with similar renovation problems since the last referendum to build a new Wentworth Intermediate School failed in 2006. 

Doyle estimated nearly $1 million has been spent so far on renovations and testing at the school.Putting money into a building that ultimately needs to be replaced is never an easy thing, he added.

“It’s a hard expense,” Doyle said.

Staff Writer Dan Aceto can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 237.