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Roof worse than anticipated, entryway may be closed over next few days

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Broderick Construction employees work to replace the wooden substructure that supports the municipal building's vestibule roof. (Photo by Bobbie Hanstein)
Broderick Construction employees work to replace the wooden substructure that supports the municipal building’s vestibule roof. (Photos by Bobbie Hanstein)
Visitors will occasionally need to use the rear parking lot and entryway, over the next few days.
Visitors will occasionally need to use the rear parking lot and entryway, over the next few days.

FARMINGTON – Residents visiting the town office may need to use the rear entrance over the next few days, after contractors discovered that the wooden substructure beneath the entryway roof was more damaged than previously anticipated.

The issue was discovered as repairs began on the substructure, which supports the vestibule’s peaked metal roof. In 1993, when the metal roof was installed atop the older, asphalt one, the builders used wooden rafters to hold it in place. However they neglected to provide ventilation, and moisture was trapped inside the cavity. The rafters rotted and when snow came off a higher roof last winter, it dented the now-unsupported metal.

Selectmen approved a repair project, which would remove a portion of the metal roof and have another company replace the rotten wood. Vents would be installed to prevent moisture from building up in the cavity.

Removing and replacing sections of the metal roof was expected to cost $3,800, while the lone bid for the construction work, submitted by Broderick Construction of Farmington, came in at $5,500. Available funds included $2,300 remaining in the municipal building reserve account as well as $6,000 freed up through the deferring of a project to seal the parking lot.

Today, Town Manager Richard Davis said that damage to the wooden substructure was more extensive than anticipated, resulting in the roofing and construction portions of the project to cost an additional $1,500 to $2,000, total. Additionally, the project will now require the entryway to be closed to the public at times over the next few days.

“We didn’t have much choice,” Davis noted. “It’s got to be done.”

The town office can be accessed through the rear entrance. Davis said he would be discussing options to fund the additional cost at tonight’s Board of Selectmen meeting.

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2 Comments

  1. The Selectmen hired one the finest contractors in Franklin county. Broderick Constuction is well known for their quality craftsmanship and attention to detail. This project may take a little more time then anticipated but the end results will be worth it.

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