DALTON, Mass. — There was a "minor glitch" in the work being done on Town Hall that has since been rectified.

 

Building Grounds Superintendent Patrick Pettit told the Select Board last week that he noticed  the abatement contractor missed a 3 1/2 by 8-foot section of plaster wall in the opera house. The wall had been under plastic.

 

After some investigation, it was determined the project supervisor at the start of the job had left for personal reasons. When a supervisor leaves, mistakes like this can happen because the incoming supervisor did not see it, Pettit said.  

 

A construction meeting was held with all the contractors to come up with a plan to remove the plaster because it is friable. 

 

The section that needs to be removed was not included in the bidded area but Pettit said, in his professional opinion, it should have been brought to his attention because it was exposed to where it was visible. 

 

"We had contingency for a lot more money than this will cost but in my belief, this was the major extent of the project. So to come away with just a minor glitch, I would call it, I think we did pretty well," Pettit said.

 

Encapsulating the plaster was not a solution because the bricks next to it are not in good condition and would prevent a good seal.

 

Although Pettit feels like it was a mistake on the contractor's part because it was never brought to his attention, the removal of the area will not cause any delays. 

 

When the plaster is removed, the workers will have to encapsulate a small area to ensure that it stays sealed since it was a concealed room that was bricked over. 

 

Once that area is taken care of, the electricians are ready to start with wiring, which needs to be done so the wallboard can be installed.

 

According to Cape Cod Builders, work will be completed around June 18 so it is projected that office can start moving back to Town Hall in July. 

 

In other news:

 

The Select Board approved the appointments for the following positions: Mitchell Drumm for highway mechanic, Jonah Smith and Bryce Smith for highway summer staff, and Levi Lisi for reserve dispatcher.  

 

The reserve dispatcher position is per diem to help cover some shifts and will not affect Lisi's duties as the town's animal control officer.