EAST PROVIDENCE — The light is back up...finally The Musco light pole at the East Providence High School stadium, which was removed nearly a year ago due to issues with a 30-inch drain pipe abutting its foundation, was put back into place on Thursday, June 29.

District Director of Facilities Chris Murphy provided the bit of information, among others, during his monthly report to the School Committee at the body's July 11 meeting.

Murphy said work to complete the repair of the pipe, which burst following periods of heavy rain late last summer, is expected to continue throughout July. The light will be operable and the nearby seating area available for use when the 2023 EPHS fall sports season begins with the start of school in late August/early September.

"The balance of the repairs associated with the 30-inch drain line have started and will be taking place as we progress through the month of July," Murphy added.

The lack of light had little affect on play at the stadium throughout the just completed 2022-23 term. Both soccer teams were able to play there last fall and so, too, did each of the EPHS lacrosse and outdoor track teams this past spring using a temporary fixture in the northwest corner of the stadium.

Football was the only sport impacted and that was only because of the larger size of its crowds. Besides the light standard, the drain pipe location was also close to the foundation for part of the west-side stands. Because of that, football games last fall were played at the Townies' former home of Pierce Stadium.

The drain pipe/light pole situation was one of the "open" items the district is seeking to have lead contractor Gilbane complete before it takes full and complete ownership of the $189.5 million new EPHS project, which has now been delayed for nearly the commensurate amount of time as it took for the pipe/pole situation to be remedied.

Murphy said there remain 21 open items that need to be addressed, two more than the director previously reported at the Committee's June forum. Murphy said they are of lesser significance, but must be fixed nonetheless.

Another EPHS note
One other item of interest from EPHS, additional so-called "durable" vinyl wall coverings at select areas throughout the building are being installed prior to the start of classes in late August.

The decorative pieces are already in use extensively around the building, particularly as a means of highlighting Townie athletics in the area of the gymnasium, but in other locations as well.

Orlo window project
Work to repair/upgrade elements of buildings around the district continues throughout the summer.

The effort to replace the windows at the Orlo Avenue Elementary School, which began the week of June 26, has hit a bit of a snag, Murphy noted. There is more abatement of asbestos materials than first thought and some metal fabrication is needed to frame the new windows into the 66-year-old structure.

Murphy said it was understood that once removal of the existing windows started in earnest asbestos would presumably be found. However, he said upon testing the windows, some if not all of which trace back to the building's opening in 1957, they were "hot" with the substance. The director explained a strip of asbestos was found in the soffit of each window.

And while the cost of taking out the asbestos remains the same, the additional amount, as in weight, of the substance will likely lead to higher costs to the contractor upon disposal, which will be passed on to the district in the end.

More projects
The director said similar window replacement projects at Riverside Middle School and Silver Spring Elementary have begun.

He continued, demolition of the smoke stack at Hennessey Elementary is well underway with reconstruction expected to start shortly.

In addition, Murphy said "comprehensive cleaning schedules for all district properties are in place and are being executed" throughout the remainder of the summer.