‘No Trespassing’: NMS Under Construction

By Eliza Hallabeck

A few weeks after work on the Newtown Middle School roof project began, the school district announced this week that contractors have asked for the property to be closed to the public while work is underway.

With scaffolding covering the school’s Queen Street façade, multiple trucks needing access to the property, and different contractors overseeing the project, Superintendent of Schools Janet Robinson said the contractors do not want people on the property.

“They are afraid of people being injured, so as a safety concern we would like to announce that people stay off the middle school property until school is in session,” said Dr Robinson.

The completion date for the project is estimated for September 15, but Dr Robinson explained contractors are focusing on having the classroom space available first, for when teachers begin the school year on August 28 and students begin the school year on August 30. Work on the school’s gymnasium and auditorium will be worked on closer to the end of the project.

Dr Robinson said she attended the weekly owner’s meeting on Friday, July 15, and said the project seems to be running smoothly. Materials are in place, and, while contractors have discovered unexpected work associated with bringing the school up to compliance standards, Dr Robinson said the contractors understand there is a need to be “deadline driven.”

“No Trespassing” signs have been placed on chain-linked fences around the construction site.

The $4.2 million project was awarded to Silktown Roofing of Manchester.