Wellsville BOE Buildings & Grounds

The Wellsville Board of Education Buildings & Grounds Committee held a meeting this past Thursday, October 21. Present at the meeting was Superintendent Rich Bereschek, District Treasurer Coleen Wickham, Committee Members Tom Brophey & Karen Dash and District Maintenance Supervisor Joe Traina.

For the Garfield building, Traina reported that the cooling and refrigeration has been upgraded. They are waiting new doors for the refrigerator to arrive to complete that project. The shrubs have been removed and they are looking at different ideas for something permanent to put in where the shrubs were. Traina asked that fencing around the new Garfield compressors be considered for safety reasons. New heaters for the building are in and they are awaiting the delivery of the thermostats before they can be installed.

Traina also reported they are currently rebuilding the condenser for the Daw Middle School boilers. He noted that there is dampness around the water tank which is going to require attention in the future. That tank is very old.

It was noted that the district still has equipment stored in the old MacDonald School building and all expressed gratitude to the new building owners. LSW is allowing the storage free of charge until it can be determined what can be done.

Traina announced that the "new" high school will have a birthday next April. It's hard to believe that building will be 10 years old on April 1, 2011. The condenser and the sprinkler that broke have been repaired for the walk-in cooler at the high school. A couple of weeks ago one of the sprinkler heads in the cooler broke loose flooding it. Traina reported they were able to salvage all the food except the pretzels thanks to quick, heads up action by the cafeteria staff. The pretzels got a little soggy & had to be discarded. What was salvaged was inspected by the CC Health Dept. before it was approved. Karen Dash inquired about two dead trees in front of the high school. Superintendent Bereschek advised they are considering upgrading signage where those trees are located instead of replacing them. The trees were ornamental pears.

Traina summed up his report that over all the district buildings are in good shape adding there are constant challenges in maintaining them.

Discussion about replacing a 15 year old tractor and acquiring a new four-wheel drive pick-up equipped with a snow plow was kicked around. The tractor is a 1995 model and is simply worn out requiring more and more money in repairs to keep it running. The district has an aging pick-up truck but it is only a two-wheel drive, not capable of plowing snow. After last February's snow it was determined a four-wheel drive vehicle was very much needed. There is always a need for a truck and the tractor is also used to mow grass in the growing season. With three different buildings in three different locations there is approximately one mile of side walks in the district. That doesn't include parking lots and other areas that are maintained.

The prices for the equipment was considered on new versus used. Prices for a plow was quoted around $5,000. Depending on the year a used truck could cost upwards to $23,000. District Treasurer Wickham advised funds are available to purchase new, adding there would be the added advantage of having a warranty on new equipment. The Committee agreed.

It was decided to recommend to the full Board of Education to advertise for bids on a new tractor and truck equipped with the snow plow. Tom Brophey added he would like to see a pole building erected to store the equipment and that was added to the list of reommendations.

Board President Ed Bauer advised yesterday there will be a Special BOE meeting next Monday, November 1 at 1 P.M. in the Superintendents office. Bauer noted they will consider the Committee's recommendations and would then retire into Executive Session for other matters. He did not elaborate on the reason for the Executive Session yet.

Since that meeting last Thursday it was discovered on Friday that a section of the home stands at Nicholson Stadium pictured above is causing some safety concerns. Those stands were constructed back in the WPA days before WWII. Although the problems causing the concern is not visible on top, it's what was discovered from underneath that prompted the decision to block that section from being used. The other sections are okay even though they don't look much different on the outside.

Bauer advised that section will remain blocked until the School District can get a qualified structural engineer to conduct an inspection. Bauer apologized to anyone who usually sits in that section stating the safety of everyone is the number one consideration. That section will not be available for tomorrow night's game. Hopefully the problems are repairable.

ole nib