BRUNSWICK

Tonight, the Brunswick Town Council will consider setting a public hearing for March 21 concerning an ordinance authorizing Americans With Disabilities Act improvements at Coffin Elementary School and the junior high.

The money made available through the Maine Department of Education revolving renovation fund will not be a cure-all for the aging schools, but will provide interest-free loans with a percentage forgiven, thus taking some of the burden of future repairs off the backs of taxpayers.

The total amount of funds to be borrowed are a little more than $1.5 million.

Applications for repair funds listed critical health, safety and compliance repairs that are necessary to keep the schools functioning.

Repairs at Coffin would be paid through a $517,664 loan, with nearly $200,000 would be forgiven and an interest-free repayment over the next five to 10 years.

Repairs would include:

• Sprinkler systems: $136,968

• Roof repairs: $49,868

• Fire alarms: $79,580

• ADA compliance toilets: $57,528

• ADA doors, ramps and signage: $82,780

• Air quality improvements: $110,940

Repairs at Brunswick Junior High School would be paid through a $1 million loan, with $384,100 forgiven and an interest-free repayment of $615,900 over 10 years.

BJHS repairs would include:

• Sprinkler systems: $229,390

• Roof repairs: $248,803

• Fire alarms: $139,200

• ADA toilets: $310,404

• ADA eyewash stations: $42,716

• Asbestos abatement: $36,312

PDT Architects’ Lyndon Keck noted at a Feb. 10 school board meeting that only the most serious and immediate problems are being addressed.

“We are not solving all the ADA problems. We are not solving all the electrical problems.

We are not solving all the hazardous materials problems,” Keck said.

At that meeting, Keck said only the worst parts of the roofs will be structurally reinforced and the sinking floor in the junior high will be put on the back burner for now.

“When we’re done, nothing’s going to look pretty,” Keck said. “This is not a beautification problem, this is the most serious repair issues.”

Deadline for the loan application is July 31 and work is scheduled to be completed by July 31, 2017.

The repairs are part of the larger, $12 million list of repairs necessary for the buildings and may provide a slight relief when the town is faced with tackling the larger projects.

However, one potential drawback is that any summer program that takes place at the two schools must relocate until repairs are complete.

dmcintire@timesrecord.com