The outside engineer hired by the town of Scarborough to investigate aspects of the high school project has updated its initial findings, but still recommends that the school purchase some type of insurance to cover possible future repairs.
The report was conducted by Po-Shang Chen and Christian D’Annunzio, of Boston-based C and C Engineering at the request of the Code Enforcement Department. The review focused on 10 specific areas the code enforcement officer did not did not have the technical expertise to review.
The final report is based on additional information submitted by the project’s construction team Harriman Associates and Pizzagalli Construction.
The engineers found there were no problems with five of the areas.
The report did state that there were “minor inconsistencies” with building codes or contract documents for two areas, welds on column base plates and excessive concrete in part of the first floor.
The engineers’ report says four of the column-base welds were acceptable, but two were not, leaving “some concern regarding the life expectancy of these columns.”
In the updated report, C and C states that the town should continue regular maintenance and inspection of those two areas.
The one area identified by C and C that may be inconsistent with building requirements in the bending of the anchor bolts on one column, which have not been tested by the manufacturer as required by industry codes.
The report also stated that there was insufficient information for the engineers to provide an opinion on issues surrounding cracks in the foundation wall and slotting of base plates.
These two issues, along with the problems with the anchor bolts, led C and C to conclude the school department should obtain some sort of long-term insurance coverage to pay for any repairs that may be needed in the future.
Superintendent Bill Michaud said he would meet with the code enforcement officer next week to discuss the report and see what needs to be done now.
“Really I think it’s a pretty good overall confirmation that it’s a good project,” Michaud said.
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