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SPENCER/EAST BROOKFIELD – A portion of the December 18 meeting of the David Prouty High School Building Committee meeting was dedicated to discussing the sprinkler main leak resulting in the school’s closure through winter break.
Dave Fontaine Jr. apologized for the situation, explaining that the sprinkler end cap came off with the cause believed to be temperature-related. The main burst on the second floor causing damage there as well as on the first floor.
Fontaine said he and his father as well as other firm leaders responded to the scene along with first responders from the police and fire departments. In addition, dozens of personnel from American Environmental worked in coordination to mitigate the problem and get the systems stabilized, he said.
Fontaine said the priority was removal of all areas exposed to water, which included “removing and replacing what needs to – a big area on the first floor…corridors, drywall, tile on wall,” etc. He said that they are working with an industrial hygienist as well.
He noted that it was concluded that the gym’s wooden floor could not be salvaged, so it had to be removed in its entirety. Fontaine said they would provide a solution for the remainder of the basketball season by “sourcing a court out,” like what is done at the DCU Center.
“All the classrooms and corridors will be functional when students return. All areas will be safe,” Fontaine said.
Committee member Mark Carpentier asked about the impact on the work schedule as well as the budget. Fontaine responded the construction timeline would not be affected and that multiple insurance companies would pay for the damage. The town would not pay anything, he emphasized.
“I trust you will make (this) right as quick as you can,” said Ralph Hicks, a Building Committee member and Selectman.
Committee chair Mike Ethier said he is impressed by how Fontaine, subcontractors, district employees and first responders were all able to efficiently work together.
“No amount of effort is going to make us feel better (about this),” Fontaine said.
Committee member Anne Gobi questioned if the cause was the cap coming off, how they would ensure that it did not happen again.
Fontaine said they would be monitoring the areas and risks.
Although the building is very close to being functional again, Fontaine said they are taking additional time to “put things back together” as well as source and install the gym floor.
“We’re still testing a couple of areas,” Fontaine said, “a couple of things behind tiles.”
“This is not something we’ve ever experienced or ever wanted to…We’ll do everything we can by January 5,” he added, referring to when students are scheduled to return to school.
Committee member Heather Messier asked whether the center court logo was destroyed. Fontaine said the intent is to try to salvage it. The layers of polyurethane appear to have protected it from moisture.
Rob Day, senior project manager from Fontaine Brothers Inc., said they would take high resolution photos just in case it has to be replicated.
Superintendent Paul Haughey assured committee members that all entities are working “morning, noon and night,” to “clean up and doing due diligence,” with safety at the forefront. He said the goal is to have students back in the building on January 5.
Haughey noted he would be making a recommendation to the School Committee about how to make up the four and a half school days lost.
Communication will be sent home to parents, the superintendent said, concluding that the intention is to “move forward with the project, on budget, on time with a completion date of August 14, 2026.”
