New Wing for Hanover Elementary School Still on Hold

The new addition that will house an all-day kindergarten program at Hanover Elementary School remains in a holding pattern.

Work on the project was originally scheduled to begin as soon as school let out in June, but the EPA still has not approved removal of PCBs – a toxic chemical found in the bricks and caulking around one window in the school – architect Robert Andrade told the Meriden School Building Committee Thursday night. Without that approval, the state Bureau of School Facilities will not give the go-ahead for the project.

If the EPA acts by the end of July, the project could go out to bid in August, and work could begin in September. The completion date of late summer 2012 could still be met, Andrade said. Any further delay, however, “will put the end date in jeopardy,” he acknowledged.

“Everything we wanted to do this summer will have to be phased during the school year,” Andrade added. Work on the outside of the building can take place during the day while school is in session. Inside work will have to be completed after school hours, he explained.

Sensitive work such as removal of PCBs will have to be done during a school break period such as the Thanksgiving or winter holidays, Andrade said. When asked how long that would take, he replied, “One afternoon? I don’t know.”

The EPA was supposed to respond within a 30-day window, Andrade told the committee, but that time limit has passed. Glen Lamontagne, who has been spearheading the project for the School Building Committee, speculated, “I think they’re just overwhelmed.” Committee member Bruce Fontanella suggested that someone call Congressman Chris Murphy (D-5th District) to see if he can speed things up.

Total cost for the new wing, which will hold 160 to 180 kindergarten students, is estimated at $7.2 million. The city will be responsible for about $1 million. The rest will be paid for by the state.