The ceiling collapsed twice during the last school year.
LUDLOW - Voters at Monday's special Town Meeting approved the appropriation of up to $75,000 from the town’s stabilization fund to repair the ceiling in the school business office at School Department headquarters at 63 Chestnut Street.
School Committee Chairman Michael J. Kelliher told Town Meeting members that the second floor drop ceiling first collapsed last March. At that time School Department staff was moved to Baird Middle School during the cleanup, Kelliher said.
In May there was a second ceiling collapse on the second floor and the second floor was declared unsafe, Kelliher said. The staff was moved to the first floor, he said.
He said the drop ceiling was removed and it was discovered that the original plaster ceiling needs to be replaced. Lighting also had to be removed to make the repairs, and the lighting needs to be reinstated after all the repairs are made, Kelliher said.
Kelliher said no more than $75,000 would be spent on the repairs.
Selectman Antonio Dos Santos said that without the repairs the area would be a hazard.
“This is an important obligation,” Dos Santos said. He urged Town Meeting members to approve the transfer from the town’s Stabilization Account to make the repairs.
“That’s what the Stabilization Account is for,” he said.
Kelliher said that Interim School Superintendent Kenneth J. Grew has agreed to implement a five-year plan for building maintenance so there will not be future large unexpected repairs.
The appropriation of the $75,000 was approved by a large majority show of hands.
Town Moderator Jason Thompson said a two-thirds vote was needed, since the funds were being taken out of the town’s Stabilization Account.