Dexter residents approve high school roof project

DEXTER — By a 64-5 margin residents of Dexter voted to approve a roof renovation/improvement project at Dexter Regional High School during an April 12 referendum. The other SAD 46 communities of Exeter, Garland and Ripley also supported the project but numbers were not available as of presstime.

The district had applied for a School Revolving Renovation Fund grant from the Department of Education for a new roof at Dexter Regional High School over the gym, locker rooms and band area. A $685,600 funding package was awarded to SAD 46 with the state picking up 70 percent of the cost — nearly $480,000 —- and the district responsible for 30 percent or $205,680 which can be paid back in the form of a 10-year loan at 0 percent interest.

The project costs will be used for an upgrade of the roof and any structural pieces to bring the area of the building up to code. The roof surfaces would be redone with new membranes as the existing membranes and insulation are nearing the end of their useful lives. The current roof is about 30 years old.

SAD 46 officials will go out to bid for the project architect and engineers, with these firms then putting the project out to general contractors. Per state regulations, the work must go to the low bidder and work bids will need to be at or beneath the $685,600 threshold in order for the project to proceed.