The cost to replace the playground at Old Hammondtown School is more than double what the school central administration and the Mattapoisett School Committee had anticipated – and way more than what Mattapoisett Town Meeting allocated for the project.
Old Rochester Regional Business Manager Patrick Spencer told committee members November 10 that, contrary to what was anticipated, bids to replace the playground came in closer to $50,000, not $20,000. Now committee members are rethinking the feasibility of replacing the playground equipment and need more time to take a second look at the matter.
According to Spencer, a significant part of the increase in price is an increase in the required depth for the cushioning surface material of the playground floor, up from 1.5 inches to three inches, along with extra grading.
Spencer said the bid to patch up the playground equipment most in need of repair came in at $5,125, but committee members discussed whether it was worth continuing to patch up 14-year old playground equipment that appears to be deteriorating. The playground has been repaired before, said Vice Principal Kevin Tavares.
“The seam separates, and when water gets in there,” said Tavares, “you can see how fragile it is.”
Chairman James Higgins suggested the committee take a step back and look at the cost of the bidding process itself and possibly rethink putting the project back out to bid a second time to see if the price could somehow go down. He also suggested looking into state funding and grants for building enhancement and playground upgrades and repairs, hoping for some assistance with the project.
“Last spring, the Capital Improvement Committee had approved a certain number and it was voted on at Town Meeting,” stated Superintendent Doug White. “But you don’t have $50,000,” he added, pointing out the need to return to the Town and ask for additional funds. “We either move with permission to do it with the patchwork, or we pause.”
White said he spoke with Mattapoisett Town Administrator Michael Gagne, who told White he would visit the playground at Old Hammondtown and let him know what he thinks about the situation.
Committee member James Motta suggested pausing and revisiting the bidding process.
“Obviously we have a financial problem,” said Motta. “We can’t move forward with the $50,000.”
Patching up the playground is not a long-term solution, stated Higgins. He said the pieces of the playground that are not patched up would continue to wear down year after year.
“I don’t think patching it up on a regular basis makes a whole lot of sense,” said committee member Carter Hunt, before the committee agreed to hold off making a decision on the playground.
The committee approved the bid of $3,050 to install a chain-link fence around the Center School playground. The committee also approved the $2,028 quote to repair the playground at Center School.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett School Committee is scheduled for December 8 at 7:00 pm at Center School.
By Jean Perry
