Averting disaster: Upgrades needed for school roof, town sewer line

KENT — The town may finally allocate funds this year to replace the aging roof at Kent Center School, according to Board of Finance Chairman Todd Cole.

Last year, the Board of Education asked for $400,000 to repair the roof but was denied the funds. Cole said the board is looking at the request again this year and may allocate up to $500,000 for a replacement.

“Replacing it has been on the radar for years, but the town keeps pushing it off,� Cole said. “It’s leaking now and if we don’t fix it, it might cost more down the line. We probably will be able to get it done inexpensively now because contractors are all looking for work.�

Curt Mechare, the school’s custodian, said the roof is more than 22 years old and should have been replaced a long time ago.

“The life expentency for this type of roof is 20 years,� Mechare said. “It’s done its thing. We keep patching them up whenever we have a leak. They’re not gigantic leaks, but just enough to stain ceiling tiles.�

Cole said if the town does not act on replacing the roof now the project would cost even more down the line.

“This is one of those situations that does not get better with age,� Cole said. “It will not just heal itself. We don’t want there to be a mold issue or a structural issue. We just want to get on with this.�

Mechare agreed and said if the roof does not get replaced soon, there  is risk of damage to a deck underneath it.

“If the deck gets damaged, it will cost a lot more for the whole job,� Mechare said. “This is not a steel roof, it is a very porous Tectum roof that is made out of a straw-like substance. When water gets into the roof, it deteriorates. It needs to be replaced, the sooner the better.�

Cole said the board is also looking at allocating $300,000 to replace one of the sewer lines between the traffic light at Bridge Street and the bridge near there.

“It was one of the sewer mains installed in 1890 and there is evidence that it may not last too much longer,� Cole said. “We could do patch repair for half of that, but it’s much more prudent to replace the whole section of line above 600 feet. It would be nice to spend a few thousand for repairs, but then you would be spending that amount every few months.�

The sewer line is right near a few residences and Southworth Dodge.

“Because the line goes downhill to the town, if that line gets blocked then it would shut the whole town down,� Cole said.

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