Towns throughout Massachusetts are busy removing snow from the roofs of schools. A few schools have cancelled classes for the remainder of the week over roof concerns. The massive amount of snow to date and anticipated storm this weekend has caused a very real concern over the ability of structures to handle the extra weight.
The Mendon and Upton School Department has been working with several town departments to ensure the schools are safe.
District Superintendent Dr. Joseph Maruszczak said since the Blizzard of 2015 Juno the school’s Buildings and Maintenance Director Ken Choiniere and his staff have been carefully monitoring the situation at Nipmuc, Miscoe, Memorial, and Clough. “The maintenance crew has been pushing back and removing any areas of snow on the roofs where there may be significant snow drifts that have built up. They also have been brushing off any drifts or icicles that may form in an overhang area where there is public egress,” said Maruszczak.
The district has hired a roof contractor, Copeland Contracting of Blackstone, to assist with removal of snow and began work on the roofs last week.
“Our staff and Copeland workers will ensure that all roof drains, gutters, downspouts, etc. are appropriately cleared so that when the snow melts, proper drainage may occur ,” Maruszczak said.
The staff and Copeland will continue to work on the buildings this week and throughout the winter as additional storms and melting occurs.
Maruszczak has been in contact with Chief Bradley of Upton and Chief Horn of Mendon regarding this matter. He also consulted with Mendon Building Inspector Tim Aicardi to get his insight and opinion. “He (Aicardi) concurs with the district’s proactive strategy,” said Maruszczak.
“The district will continue to work with each town’s building department to ensure that all of our buildings remain safe during this time of historical snowfall,” said Maruszczak.
UPTON DAILY 
Mike Watson is the laughing stock of Mendon year in and year out. Why doesn’t he just move to a town that isn’t so dangerous for children to be going to school; like Woonsocket; or maybe New Bedford.
Among a certain crowd I sure am and wouldn’t have it any other way. The folks that matter have been contacting me over the past few days about the snow and the budget showing their support and appreciation. They count.
Schools, Public Safety and Building Inspector are all working together to ensure that the roofs are safe. And they’ve hired a contractor to help them. So I’m not really sure what is ridiculous about it. Seems like someone is looking to stir up trouble for lack of attention.
Lol! OK Kevin. Ask chief Horn if I’m wrong. Pictures don’t lie pal but people do…
Are you suggesting that not all the people mentioned in the article are actually involved? Or that they are not telling the truth? What exactly is the lie?
If you say the roofs have been a priority and snow and ice have been removed above where students enter, but no one had shoveled the roofs until I asked the chief to check it out a few days ago and when a parent can go yesterday and take the photos I did along with those taken before the Super Bowl, are you telling the truth? When you say it’s all good but the Public Safety director drives over and takes a look saying it not are you being honest with the folks? Listen, I understand some support the District no matter what they do. No need to argue about it. Again, pictures don’t lie.
And I understand that to others the district never does anything right, no matter what they do. Or that anyone who has an opinion different from yours must always be wrong, and usually part of some conspiracy.
Please, no need to list your heroics or all the things that you think the school has done wrong. We don’t want the internet to run out of space.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
It’s funny you bring that up because I am feeling a bit heroic today having again forced the district to do the right thing. What is that 7/8-0 Watson? Roofs, IPads, windmill, patriotic songs, SPED account, public docs, ethics etc.
And the internet can’t run out of space Einstein!? (;
Like the district wasn’t already working on it before you called. There are three schools in the district. It is conceivable the district was working on other schools with a higher priority. Take off your tights, you’re no super hero.
Wondering? You’re back at it!? I bet you’ve missed our Milford Daily News days together. Don’t worry, I copied all of your comments. As for the tights, I have them up as they were giving me a rash. I now use regular straight leg Levi’s but I did keep the cape.
And so we leave massive ice overhangs at one or two schools over doorways where the kids and staff enter for weeks because we’re busy at another school. When a kid gets killed what would be said? We knew about it for weeks but we didn’t have time to get to it? Come on! Get real!
You collect copies of comments made by people who use the screen name wondering?? Good luck with that; sounds time consuming.
Just posting this to see if you will add it to your collection of “Wondering” comments.