By Linda Conner Lambeck

WESTPORT – With Coleytown Middle School springing leaks months after a two-and-a-half-year renovation, the chairman of the school’s building committee has temporarily scrapped plans to formally sign off on the $32 million project’s completion.

Instead, Don O’Day on Monday gave the Board of Education an update on renovations and steps taken to keep water out of the building, which had to be closed in September 2018 because of mold infestation.

“We don’t want another CMS particularly at CMS,” O’Day said during the presentation to the board.

O’Day insisted the school is now safe and measures are being taken out of an abundance of caution in the aftermath of heavy rainfall this fall.

The building committee wants to “get it right,” O’Day said, calling the recent problems annoying but fixable.

Extensive renovation carried out

The middle school was closed in September 2018 because of mold problems. The extensive renovation, which forced students to be relocated to Bedford Middle and Staples High schools, involved:

• replacing every window.

• installing a completely new roof and state-of-the-art HVAC system, including for the gym.

• regrading the exterior grounds to keep water from the building.

• installing a new exterior cladding to the structure and new lighting throughout the building.

• designing a new library/media center and science rooms.

• cleaning and painting the entire school.

The school reopened in January 2021.

Recent heavy rains blamed for problems

O’Day’s initial intention was to ask the school board to accept the project as complete this month because doing so starts the process for state reimbursement for a portion of the construction costs. The town estimates it could receive more than $4 million for the project.

But then the rains came.

First was Tropical Storm Ida in early September, which caused a water leak from a roof drain that wasn’t properly tightened. In addition, rain blew into an HVAC unit, causing a water leak onto ceiling tiles in the school’s main conference room.

The roof drain was tightened, the HVAC unit adjusted, replaced, and otherwise tweaked to reach maximum performance.

 A few weeks later, the same HVAC problem, and additional leaks, recurred during heavy rain on Oct. 26.

“Water came in from an improperly sealed electrical conduit pipe that services one of the HVAC units,” O’Day reported. “The water dripped onto a ceiling tile below causing a stain. As of today, it has been properly addressed.”

As for the HVAC system, a hood is being installed to prevent wind-swept rain from entering the unit.

O’Day described being at the school daily, sometimes as early as 6 a.m., pulling out ceiling tiles and addressing issues as they are spotted.

Report: Recent tests assure safety

A building engineer was hired to conduct an infrared roof scan last week to search for any potential moisture under the roofing. None was found.

Air-quality tests have been performed, he said, and no issues have been detected.

“And yes, everyone involved is hypersensitive about findings, fixes and communication — as we should be,”O’Day said.

 Most of the issues are under warranty, O’Day said.

Still, he wants to wait 30 days before asking the school board to sign off on the project.

“I’m in no particular rush,” he said, adding that Susan Chipouras, the project manager, is staying on the job for at least a year to oversee the reimbursement process.

School board members weigh in

Despite the issues, board member Lee Goldstein said the renovation produced a desirable school building.

“Students are happy,” she said, adding she is glad to hear there is a focus on making sure work is completed correctly.

Board member Jeannie Smith, the parent of a child attending the school, said she also appreciates the commitment to getting things right.

 At the same time, Smith said, she hears from parents who express doubts about whether the project was carried out properly, if enough money was spent and with how communication has been handled.

“The big question is once water gets in, are we in [another] mold situation?” Smith said.

“We are so far from being in a mold situation,” O’Day responded. “You get in a mold situation by ignoring things … We are on it.”

Board member Karen Kleine said it’s positive that school officials are being vigilant. She noted that this fall’s storms resulted in work orders to remedy problems at other schools.