The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1907-04-04
THE HIGH SCHOOL BUIlDlNGA


The Need for New Building Imperative.
Expense Of Putting Present Building in
Good Condition Near the Cost OF New
Structure.
The need of new school building on the
common has frequently been brought to
public attention for many years past. A
bequest intended for this purpose was di-
verted through legal technicalities, and the
Frederick beQuest cannot be realized for
some years to come. N. j. Pottle, Inspector
of Buildings, in his report read at the March
meeting OF the City Council, said that the
safety of the pupils demanded that the
High school building be condemned and
recommended the erection of new school
building on the common. The Mayor in
his address said: "That the city needs a
modern school building in what was for
merly known as the Central district is
acknowledged by every one." The school
committee in making up their estimates for
appropriations by the city council did not
include a specified sum for repairs on the
High school building, as they we're in doubt
what should be done, or rather what could
be done. In this emergency they sent for
Horace Furington of Waterville, promi-
specting the building made the following
report:
WATERvILLE, ME-, March %, 1907
Mr.. AlOnZo }. Knowlton,
Supt. of Schools, Belfast, Maine.
Af hnx
amined the High school building in your
city for the purpose of determining its safe
ty for occupancy by the school children and
to suggest remedies for the weaknesses
which appear.
The building is in very bad condition,
and in case of fire the danger to children in
the second and third stories would be very
great. The repairs you are making will
prevent the danger from collapse of the
building for the present, but if it is to be
used mucn longer large expenditure must
be made, memoranda of the cost of which
see below.
The foundation of the building has thrown
out Of place considerably by the action of
the frost and of the water which is con-
Stantly percOlating through the foundation
and undermining the wall. Evidently the
cellar has been excavated to depth below
the bottom of the foundation which exposes
the work to the action of the elements and
has resulted in its displacement.
The posts which support the third floor
have not sufficient strength at the bearing
point, and while they may support the floor
as long as the partition remains underneath
care should be exercised to see that the
weight carried by these does not break the
bearing at these points.
The suggestion that steel or iron fire.
escape could be put on as a protection
against fire is not practicable, as has been
proven in many Instances. Children will
not use this means of escape.
l would recommend that watchman be
constantly at the building during the school
session until this is remedied. Another
exit should be provided in the rear by
building brick addition of sufficient size
for stairway to the second and third floors.
The following work is necessary to be
done without delay in order to make the
building safe even for temporary use. For
these changes we estimate the cost to be as
follows:
For repairs to the foundation and
additional depth $3.50. 90
For new foundation for piers and
posts. 100 W
For the addition for stairway in the
rear. ...........e. .....-'.-.''-<@ SoO.uy
You will note tnat have not taken into
consideration the matter of ventilation or
light in the building, which is very poor. 10
put the building into good condition in all
the cost OF new structure that | think
your people would not entertain it for a
moment. l think it would be very poor
policy to make these repairs on this build
ing. The construction of the building is
such that any attempt to preserve it for the
use of a school building will be very unsat-
isfactory even with large expenditure of
money.
Believing this answers your inquiry, l am
Very truly,
(Signed) HORACE PUR1NaToN.
"a true copy
The school committee after hearing this
report took the following action:
Voted: That in the opinion of the school
committee any further extensive repairs on
the High school building would be injudi-
cious.
Voted: That the school committee en-
phatically protests against the further use
of that building for school purposes.
Voted: That the city government is here
by earnestly petiti0ned to take such steps
as may be necessary for the immediate
erection of a building on the common suit
able for school purposes.
The foregoing was read in the City Coun-
Gil and laid on the table.
While not included in his report Mr.. Pur-
ington estimated the cost of a new broom
building on the common at $4,000. The
material in the present foundation walls
and the brick in the building could be utiliz-
ed, and face brick only would be needed.
1t has been suggested that the city might
use the $33, 900 it now has in trust funds for
this purpose, and that the balance required
might b8 raised easily. The city has $22,-
600 trust funds invested in the Memorial
building and there would seem to be no rea-
son why like investment could not be
made in a school building.