Roof repair glitches spur call for review

DEXTER — The new roof at Dexter Elementary School has had a few issues since its installation last year, leaving General Brown Central School Board of Education members and district administration wanting reassurance it will be fixed for good.

Upon the recommendation of the district's architectural and engineering firm, Bernier, Carr & Associates, Watertown, board members agreed to have a peer review of the roof at the 415 E. Grove St. school.

Multiple issues were found during the fall when the firm checked on construction progress. Membrane wrinkles were found on the roof because the membrane wasn't rolled flat when it was laid. There also was puddling of water at the mechanical room door, as well as a problem with the lipping of the roof extension.

An existing roof drain was in the wrong spot, and the new roof drains were installed higher than the roof, so water could not drain.

All of those issues have since been fixed; but as of late July, there was some water in the gymnasium from a leak.

"With all of this cumulative information and performance of the roof, the district asked us to look at the installation again," said Pamela S. Beyor, chairwoman of the board of directors at Bernier, Carr.

Although she said the firm believes the design is appropriate and the construction is appropriate, the district wants additional assurance that the roof is OK, "so they asked us to put together a peer review."

"I think the district's position is one leak too many," Ms. Beyor said during the board's monthly meeting Monday.

District Superintendent Stephan J. Vigliotti Sr. said that by "the district," she meant him.

Through a request-for-proposals process, a separate engineering firm would be selected and then write an opinion independent of Bernier, Carr. Ms. Beyor said this is "not uncommon in the industry."

The cost of the peer review would come out of the capital construction project's incidental expense account.

Ms. Beyor said "there's nothing of an uncommon nature going on" with the roof, which has been under warranty since December.

With about $50,000 left in the contingency account of Phase 1, Ms. Beyor offered some additional items board members could consider for improvement.

The relocation of the concession stand at the athletic complex at the junior-senior high school, 17643 Cemetery Road, will cost $32,000. That will cover the cost of a new concrete slab, electrical and plumbing work and transportation of the stand from the grandstand entrance to near the entrance of the complex by the corner of the school.

Mr. Vigliotti said the stand needs to be relocated because it otherwise would be in the way of spectators when they enter or exit the grandstand. Board members agreed to the change order.

The final change order they agreed to was the construction of a new sign at Dexter Elementary, to the tune of $15,000.