• Home
  • Posts
  • Gas Leak at Central Middle School Postpones RTM Meeting

Gas Leak at Central Middle School Postpones RTM Meeting

town-of-greenwich-seal

By Richard Kaufman

Members of the Representative Town Meeting were forced to evacuate Central Middle School on Tuesday night due to a gas leak.

The odor of gas filled the lobby of CMS before the meeting began, and at around 8:25 p.m., moderator Thomas Byrne told the crowd that the issue had not been resolved. As members exited the building, Greenwich Fire Department personnel were arriving.

“Further investigation has revealed there is a gas leak, and we’ve been ordered to evacuate,” said Byrne, who wanted to recess until Wednesday evening. Insted, the meeting is in recess until Monday, Jan. 28 at 8 p.m.

The RTM was in the process of voting on two appropriations associated with water leaks at Greenwich High School on Tuesday night.

On Dec. 12, a connector in the piping of the ceiling at the Greenwich High School Performing Arts Center failed, causing damage to the PAC, gym, and surrounding area. An appropriation of $536,000 was requested to cover repairs and the costs associated with relocating activities from the PAC and gym.

Kimberly Blank, chair of the RTM Education Committee, said interim Superintendent, Ralph Mayo, and Board of Education chair, Peter Bernstein, both stressed the leak was not a result of maintenance issues.

The other appropriation of $217,000 was requested for repairs related to a Nov. 15 flooding incident that occurred due to a failed plate heat exchanger in the Science Building at GHS.

Two years ago, the hot water heater failed, so a plate heat exchanger was installed as an upgrade. However, since it also failed, the manufacturer has not been cooperating and litigation looks likely, according to RTM Finance chair, Rob Perelli-Minetti.

The RTM’s Education, Finance and Public Works committees unanimously approved the requests in their meetings.

Blank said the school administration is evaluating water sensors and additional shutoff valves that would be helpful in preventing such extensive damage in the future.

Perelli-Minetti said RTM members are frustrated about the problems the Music and Instructional Space and Auditorium (MISA) has been having.

“There’s a sense of frustration we all have at the fact that this brand new, very expensive building is suffering from these kinds of failures. There was a problem with one of these couplings a couple years ago. There are apparently leaks in the roof and skylight that are being worked on that are not a part of this repair,” he said. “We strongly urge you to support this.”

Michael Spilo, vice chair of the RTM Public Works Committee, said his committee feels the school district should do more in trying to prevent future water leaks.

“The Public Works Committee had an extensive discussion on the procedures and methods that are being used to identify problems in the facilities early. We feel this area needs further examination,” he said. Spilo said that along with investing in water sensors and shut-off valves, facilities staff should be trained to identify problems before they escalate.

Related Posts
Loading...