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$150K waterline improvement set for Boardman school, sports complex
By ELISE McKEOWN SKOLNICK
BOARDMAN
The board of education approved spending $150,000 for emergency replacement and relocation of waterlines at Glenwood Middle School and the sports complex.
Since 2011, users of the facilities have noticed discoloration of the water, as well as low water pressure. Flushing the waterlines on multiple occasions did not fix the problems.
Tests by W.E. Downie Co. Inc. of Poland this month found the lines to be degraded to the extent that replacement and relocation were recommended.
The project is expected to take about four weeks, Matt McKenzie, supervisor of buildings and grounds, told board members at their Monday meeting.
The facilities will continue operating with the old pipes until the project is complete, with the connection of the new lines taking place when school is not in session.
“There will be no interruption of school whatsoever,” McKenzie said.
He expects the project to be finished by the end of January or the beginning of February.
State law generally requires school boards to advertise for bids for a period of two weeks for improvements in excess of $25,000. In cases of urgent need, however, boards do not have to follow that rule.
The water supply is safe, McKenzie said after the meeting.
“We had it tested, and there are no problems with the water supply,” he said. “It is a water-pressure issue that has been brought to our attention.”
He explained, however, a 4-inch galvanized line runs under the building, necessitating a quick response.
Line failure could cause structural damage to the building, he said. “We want to take that potential away from the building,” he said.
The board will contract with Downie for the project.