At an August 6 joint meeting of the select board, school committee and finance committee, plans and estimates on roof work at town school buildings were presented.

Millbury Memorial Jr./Sr. High School, Elmwood Elementary School and the Dorothy Manor School building, which is rented out to a private company, were included in the presentation.

The projects present some challenges, according to engineers from owner’s project manager Terva Corp., and designer Habeeb and Associates. It addresses the needs of 118,000 square feet of roof at the high school, 64,000 square feet of roof at Elmwood School and 5000 square feet of roof at the Dorothy Manor building.

The 24 year old high school roof  is in poor to failing conditions in most places. regularly suffers from leaks while Elmwood School has them periodically. Terva Corp.’s report said the roof on the Dorothy Manor School is past its useful life.

Rooftop mechanical systems such as HVAC  will also need to be replaced. Additionally, solar panels were also discussed.

The Terva Corp. report said that full roof replacements were inevitable and estimated the cost at $8.2 million for the jr./sr. high school, with replacement of the HVAC system at $4.8 million. Solar panels would add $351,000 to the cost for each of the schools and carry about 15 percent of the energy load. $730,000 could replace HVAC with heat pumps.

Water damage and health and safety concerns are driving the need for a .roof replacement for Elmwood School. A recent leak in the library damaged books, water has damaged classroom furniture and floor tiles, ceiling tiles have needed replacement and there are health and safety issues due to poor ventilation and too much humidity in the building that houses pre-school to second grade students.

The replacement is estimated at $4.2 million. HVAC replacement there would cost approximately $1.8 million with $763, 000 to install heat pumps. Solar panels would also cost $351,000. 

The Dorothy Manor building could be repaired for $136,000, the report said.

The projects will be placed before town meeting voters at the November fall town meeting.

The presentation can be viewed on the Millbury Public Schools website at millburyma.gov/school-department

The August 6 presentation can be viewed on the Millbury Public Schools website at https://www.millburyschools.org/160555_3.