Asbestos Will Be Removed From Exterior Of Massachusett’s Middle School
The Superintendent of Schools in the Weymouth area has submitted a letter of interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority regarding state aid for $6 million in repairs needed at the Chapman Middle School. Part of the requested funding will be used for asbestos removal on the outside of the school building.
A private contractor was hired to test exterior paint at Chapman Middle School and subsequently discovered that the latex paint contained traces of asbestos. Following the discovery, classes were canceled and the school was closed in preparation for asbestos abatement.
Asbestos can be contained by layering latex paint over any asbestos materials, but only as a short-term solution, which officials say was done at Chapman. The paint was expected to last approximately three years.
Officials say that the work is expected to cost so much is because not only will the paint be removed, but older masonry and other exterior materials will need to be replaced as well.
Officials estimate that the repairs can be completed in two phases over the next two summers.