Mary Byrne
Winn Brook Elementary School was closed Thursday for the second consecutive day while maintenance crews addressed issues relating to the building’s heating system.
According to Fire Chief David DeStefano, who deferred further questions to school administration, his department responded to a report of a natural gas odor at the school on Jan. 19 and then again Jan. 23. During the Friday incident, students were evacuated to Town Hall on Concord Avenue, where parents met them for pickup.
The following week, on Tuesday, a staff member reported the smell of natural gas on the cafeteria side of the school building, according to a letter from Superintendent Jill Geiser sent to families that afternoon. The building was evacuated and the Fire Department and National Grid were called.
With permission from the fire safety personnel, students and staff re-entered the building and gathered in the gymnasium while National Grid shut off the gas supply. At that point, the department gave school officials the OK to return to classrooms.
After dismissal Tuesday, the building was closed to allow National Grid and the Facilities Department to investigate and determine whether any issues needed addressing.
According to a subsequent letter to the Winn Brook community on Wednesday, the Facilities and Maintenance Department identified natural gas leaks through pressure testing, conducted a combustion analysis of the boilers – which were working as expected – and replaced the gas meter.
In the letter, Geiser wrote the leaking gas manifold is being rebuilt and replaced, rather than repaired, in an “overabundance of caution.” Plumbing Inspector Peter Maher will inspect the work, check for its completeness and ensure no other gas risk remains.
“Again, I understand the inconvenience of this closure of school.” wrote Geiser. “Please know that this decision is for the safety of students and staff, and ensuring a safe environment for learning to happen.”
On Wednesday, Geiser expected school would resume for staff and students on Friday.
“We’d never want to put the students and educators back into the building until everything was tested and 100%,” said School Committee Chair Meghan Moriarty.
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