Schools

Boiler Project Cleanup Pushes Back Hawley School Welcome

Hawley students will get a late start this year as workers prepare the school for their return.

Hawley School students will get a bit of a late welcome this school year.

This summer, work had been underway to replace the school's boiler and heating system, as well as pulling out asbestos. And while contractors actually wrapped up early, clean-up took longer than planned -- pushing the official welcome tour for the school's students and staff back to Monday, rather than Wednesday.

When the contract was signed, it gave contractors until the 29th to finish work. They completed four days early, Reed told the Board of Education Tuesday night.

"The delivery system to all 48 classrooms had to be replaced," Superintendent John Reed told Patch. "We had to do the plumbing, and it was seeping into the walls -- basically, it was messy work."

Workers moved furniture out of classrooms to provide a clear working environment during the Reed said he wanted teachers to have ample room to work when the school year begins.

"We just don't have the time to have the rooms set up without a significant level of stress for teachers," said Reed.

Students will report to Hawley School Tuesday, August 27, for their first day of school.

Building officials told the town the project was "on time and under budget" at a Board of Selectmen meeting Monday. Countertops and windowsills are still being completed, but furniture is back in place and the boiler is expected to go online before October 1.


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