FALMOUTH – When asbestos was discovered during a summer project at Teaticket Elementary School, town officials needed to act quickly to allow crews to safely and thoroughly remove the hazardous material.
During a recent meeting, the Board of Selectmen approved an emergency declaration, which will allow the school district to fund the project, which will cost roughly $300,000.
“The unfortunate thing is an accident occurred, and asbestos fibers have been released, and now we have to take those measures that are appropriate to protect children,” Selectman Sam Patterson said.
The declaration was necessary, because according to state law, a local government cannot spend more than its total budget, unless the situation poses a health and safety threat.
An article will be placed on the November Town Meeting warrant to fund the project out of the current fiscal year budget.
In the meantime, students have been displaced to East Falmouth and Morse Pond elementary schools until the removal work is completed.
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