Asbestos removal getting underway at Northwestern

WINSTED — The long-awaited asbestos abatement project at Northwestern Regional School will begin on June 23, now that school is in recess for the summer. The entire project is expected to be completed before school begins in the fall.

Last year a washing machine accident caused water damage to the floor in the main gymnasium. Upon evaluation of the damage, asbestos was discovered under the wood floor.

For safety reasons, the abatement could not take place when students would be in the building. School officials had to table the project until the end of the school year. The gym was also closed to all student activities and locked down. Several of the sports programs were affected, as well as graduation; however, the programs were successfully relocated.

According to Roger Newbury, financial director for Northwestern, staff and faculty will continue to work in the building during the construction and abatement, but students will not be allowed access anywhere on school grounds or in the building.

"[Students] may attempt to violate the [protective isolation] measures that are in place. The area will be totally isolated for the removal purposes," said Newbury.

Air quality testing and other precautions will be in place to protect school staff.

Plans have been made to hold all summer school classes at Northwestern Connecticut Community College.

The abatement is expected to be completed by July 23. Once complete, the new floor installation will begin and students will once again be allowed back on school grounds. School will not be affected for the 2008-09 academic year and the entire project should be completed in August before school officially reopens.

The cost of the repairs to the gym floor, $146,619, is being covered by the school’s insurance company and the abatement will be partially covered by a $77,500 grant from the state of Connecticut. The balance of approximately $40,000 will be paid from the 2007-08 school budget.