Westport School Building Committee could help repair elementary school drainage issues

WESTPORT -- The School Building Committee has expressed an interest in helping the elementary school repair its drainage, which has caused flooding and has plagued the Gifford Road neighborhood with water issues for decades.

Selectmen last week agreed to ask Town Meeting voters in May for funding to repair the school’s drainage, if the SBC is unable to incorporate the drainage plan into its overall $97 million 5 through 12 school building and campus.

Selectmen Chairwoman Shana Shufelt noted that special Town Meeting voters in December authorized the spending of $9,000 toward the drainage issues.

Although the elementary school building and grounds are not part of the state School Building Authority-authorized 5 through 12 building, Planning Board officials last month urged the SBC to take a look at the drainage problem.

The elementary school is on adjacent grounds and planning officials noted that engineers, equipment and other related sources will be on that campus in the upcoming months.

Planning officials said that now would be the opportune time to fix the drainage problem, which officials say has been flooding Gifford Road for approximately five decades.

The SBC agreed to it and its engineer proposed an approximate $200,000 drainage plan that would correct flooding issues for the majority of heavy rainfall events.

Shufelt said the $9,000 could go toward that ongoing engineering work.

She said that if the SBC fails to correct it, Town Meeting in the spring can decide to fund it from there.

“It seems like a prudent use of the funds at this time,” King said.

Selectmen noted that the article could be nixed before going before voters in May, if the SBC is able to fund the drainage work.

The SBC has a base budget and has added on a half-dozen amenity items -- or “add-ons” -- if the project falls within or below the allotted budget approved by taxpayers in early 2018.

Owners Project Manager Richard Marks noted that two add-on items will make the cut -- an indoor walking track for the community and maintenance-free flooring, which will save on overall operating costs.

Marks expressed optimism that all add-ons will be incorporated, which would lead to the drainage issues resolved.

Despite this news, Gifford Road resident Cynthia Anderson has expressed skepticism.

Anderson questioned if the SBC drainage design plans will fully divert water from the Gifford Road neighborhood.

Anderson barraged selectmen with more questions last week, mostly with logistical questions as to whom will spearhead the efforts.

Shufelt reiterated that Town Meeting in May will authorize a backup funding source if the SBC cannot fund the drainage plan.