By Jay Lawson
The Town of Webb Union Free School District (TOW UFSD) hosted a public hearing on Tuesday, March 3 for its proposed Roof Reconstruction Project of 2015.
Registered voters in the school district will be able to vote on the proposition on Wednesday, March 11, between 2 and 9 p.m.
The voting will take place in the school gymnasium.
Voters can access the gym through the school’s rear entrance on Park Avenue.
If approved, the proposal would authorize the Town of Webb UFSD to reconstruct portions of the existing District building to reconstruct the roof over the building’s science/cafeteria wing.
The amount to be expended would not exceed $256,000.
The proposed roof reconstruction and replacement would be paid for using unappropriated fund balance.
This means no additional taxes would be required of district residents.
“This section of building was built in the last major capital project, which means the roof is over 15 years old, out of warranty and in need of repair,” said TOW Superintendent of Schools, Rex Germer.
Specifically the roofing membrane needs replacing, but there are other problems as well, according to Mr. Germer.
“A reconstruction will happen to alleviate other issues inherent with the original design and construction of the roof,” he said.
A protruding “knee wall” has created a “bathtub” that collects snow and water.
Re-caulking will also be necessary on a window wall adjacent to the new roof.
Reroofing costs are estimated at $170,000. Wall removal and deck infill will be $25,000. Curtain wall sealant replacement is estimated at $18,500.
An additional $42,500 (about 20 percent of construction cost) has been added to cover incidental costs that may arise.
Unappropriated Fund Balance will pay for the project, if approved, so taxes will not increase.
The Tax Certiorari is scheduled to be returned to the Unappropriated Fund Balance on June 30.
As of December 31, 2014, the Tax Certiorari CD had a value of $286,254.52, according to Superintendent Germer.
If voters authorize the Roof Reconstruction Project, the Board of Education will transfer monies returned to the Unappropriated Fund Balance to offset the project’s cost.