HUDSON- Over the next three years, Hudson High’s roof and HVAC system repairs are expected to cost the town 7 million dollars.
HHS school administrators have recently been recommending a new restoration and replacement project for the roof and general HVAC systems in the school’s building.
The covering, mainly in the library at the high school, is over 20 years old. This age threatens problems like water leakage, mold growth, and disruptions to building systems within the learning facilities, posing danger for students and faculty.
Impending risks make repairs vital to the building; however, this project will not be easy, nor cheap. Different sections will be addressed at different times and for varying costs.
The worst sections, those in need of immediate replacement, will be fixed first, then the parts in poor condition, and lastly, enduring sections will be finished in the third and final year of the project.
This money won’t come from just anywhere; the town plans to implement a 10-20 year debt exclusion, which is a temporary tax increase for residents who will be voting on this at existing town meetings in May.
“The Town is hoping for a 10-year payback that will have an impact on the average property tax bill of less than $100 per year,” said superintendent Dr. Brian Reagen.
Although a significant ask, Reagen is confident in the town’s judgment.
“I am hopeful that voters will see the importance of maintaining school roofs,” said Reagen.
As for the HVAC systems, being placed by the roof and beyond a useful life span, they have been grouped into this project and categorized as necessary replacement.
“If we wait on the HVAC upgrades, we will be doing that work next year or the year after, and there is a potential for that work to cause damage to the new roof membrane,” Reagen explained.
In good news, there are sections of the roof that are available for restoration rather than replacement, which helps save the town money.
“The High School roof requires full replacement in most areas due to its current condition. There are, however, several smaller sections that are eligible for restoration, which helps minimize costs,” said Reagen.
Restoration allows for contractors to apply a protective coating without removing all structures, which is, as said, cheaper and additionally, good for the environment.
“This approach is better for the environment because it avoids adding old rubber roofing materials to area landfills,” said Reagen.
If concerned, no members of Hudson High are currently being affected.
“Right now, water infiltration is limited at both schools, and it is not impacting any learning spaces,” Reagen ensured.
Principal Dr. Lauren Pupecki additionally has no concerns about school areas for students being limited over the duration of the project.
“I don’t think that it will affect the library for student use, the repairs are happening in the flat section of the roof; if you’re in the library and look out toward the football field, you can see where the work is being done,” said Pupecki.
Despite the safety of students and faculty being well under control, there is a possibility that learning at HHS in a technological sense could be impacted.
“It could impact the electricity in the building so we could have more outages which I guess is in some sense could be seen as a safety concern if the lights go out,” Pupecki explained.
Once the project starts, construction equipment will be placed outside and workers won’t need to go through the school to access it.
“I don’t see like the construction workers using the library to access it, they would probably have something set up outside,” said Pupecki.
Having said all of this, it is evident that the school is fully focused on protecting the students while improving the outside structure of the building.
“Obviously our number 1 goal is to make sure the building is safe for students and staff,” Pupecki affirmed.
Pupecki expressed that she’s hoping the town of Hudson recognizes the strong structure that is HHS while still understanding what can be done to improve it.
“I think what we really need to think about as a community is that this building is still in really good shape but as we start to have those leaks then it destroys walls, electrical, flooring. We just have to make sure that we prevent leaks before they destroy the building,” said Pupecki.
In addition to the high school repairs, Farley Elementary School in Hudson also needs a new roof. The entire roof at Farley is suitable for a restoration which will cost $1,005,000. This money will also be provided by the debt exclusion.
Even though these repairs will be long-lasting and expensive, Pupecki joked that there will be nothing to worry about, we will all get to see each other’s beautiful faces in late August.
“Unfortunately everyone will be back on the first day of school. We wont open in October, you wont get an extra long summer.”
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