RSU 10 okays capital reserve use for urgent septic work at Hartford Sumar Elementary

The RSU 10 school board approved use of the district’s capital improvement reserve to begin work on an urgent sewer/septic problem at Hartford Sumar Elementary, authorizing an amount listed in the motion (up to $35,000) while staff pursue engineering and procurement for a full repair.

Board members described a two-stage sequence: an initial up-to-$25,000 action to replace pumps that had been authorized earlier, and subsequent discovery that one deeply buried holding tank had disintegrated and that code now prevents placing new piping as deep as the old configuration. That discovery means the piping and tank replacements require re-engineering and a larger scope of work than originally expected.

Chad (buildings and grounds staff) and other staff briefed the board: crews were able to make a temporary repair so the system will function for the next seven to eight weeks while the district obtains engineering plans, and digitized building plans have been located to help the engineer scope work. Board members emphasized following procurement rules (RFP/RFQ) for engineering and construction and asked staff to return with a firm scope and cost estimate; one member asked that an RFP/RFQ be issued for engineering services.

The board discussed the capital improvement reserve balance, reported as approximately $160,000 (originally $150,000 plus interest of about $10,000), and agreed the full project may exceed the $35,000 figure listed in the motion; however, the board voted to approve the motion to begin work and to use the reserve fund to move the project forward. Members said they expect to have a clearer scope and cost estimate by the second meeting in June.

The board also asked staff to follow district procurement policy when selecting engineers and contractors and to return with a timeline and bid documents.