More photos of the demolition

Many thanks to Lisa Aciukewicz for these excellent photos of the building coming down.

Demolition has begun!

On Monday afternoon July 27 demolition of the FB began in earnest. The goal is to have the old building removed entirely by the end of this week.

The construction debris is being recycled.

Update for July 26

From Rick High on Sunday July 26, 2009


Following up on last week's news:

We went exploring for the mysterious oil tank on Monday July 20. We were concerned one might be lying underground behind the building, near the mechanical room door, just off the sidewalk. Evidence of its existence (or prior existence) was a sleeve through the sidewalk where the fill pipe would have been located and a vent pipe, still running up the side of the FB.

There was no record at the Town of the existence of the tank, let alone its removal. If the tank was still there, had it been properly drained of oil? Had it leaked and contaminated the soil? We had budgeted some money for its removal, but would it be enough?

With some skillful work from the backhoe operator, the absence of a tank was quickly apparent. The oil tank was evidently removed years ago and there was no sign either of fouled soil. We are reporting the finding to the Fire Chief so the matter can be laid to rest with proper documentation.

The site contractor, Michalczyk Excavating, is on site. Tree and brush removal from the site of the future septic field and other necessary locations is underway. We have walked the site and carefully noted trees that should be protected from harm during the construction process.

Soon the siltation fence and hay bales will be placed as directed by the civil engineer. Site work will continue the upcoming week.

The building committee is meeting regularly reviewing job status, emerging construction issues, and focusing on finalizing mechanical system, lighting design, and resolution to acoustic issues, particularly in the large meeting hall.

Reporting of data related to LEED certification has begun.

Week of July 20

Good news from Rick High:

We went exploring for the oil tank. It was evidently removed years ago. No sign either of fouled soil.

We received a “verbal” today from the Building Inspector for moving ahead on the demolition.

Dig Safe has been called and will be out on Thursday. Demo can commence at the end of the week.

Last week we marked the trees that have to be removed. That can start on Tuesday.

FB after hazmat removal

Week of July 13

From Rick High:

The hazardous materials remediation contractor completed his work on Tuesday, July 14. The building (or what’s left of it) has been inspected by the authorities. It is free of asbestos containing materials and we can now proceed with the demolition.

National Grid arrived yesterday and disconnected the power to the FB, another necessary pre-condition to commencing the demolition. The next step is to apply for a demolition permit.

The removal of all the drywall revealed evidence of a smoky fire sometime in the FB’s past. Jean McCrosky remembered it and placed the event somewhere around 1980—it could have been five years sooner or later. The cause, the best anyone could determine, was a “live” cigarette butt caught in a cotton mop during clean up. The mop was put away in the little closet on the left side of the entry hall past the parlor door. Everyone went home and you can guess the rest. There was a lot of smoke damage, though not much damage to the structure. The entire interior of the building had to be cleaned and re-painted—one of four times Jean remembers being part of a Fellowship Building painting crew.

Another artifact of the past was the discovery of a vintage Pepsi can. About 30 years ago a new roof structure was built over a portion of the existing FB roof. The intent was to solve a persistent leaking problem caused by the original design of the roof. When the outer roof was removed to get at the asbestos, a Pepsi can was discovered sitting on top of the old roof where it had been left by the contractor. The can says “Catch that Pepsi spirit” which was Pepsi’s ad campaign from 1978 to 1981. (Right after “Have a Pepsi Day” and just preceding “Pepsi’s Got Your Taste For Life!”).

Also quite evident was the significant termite and carpenter ant damage to the building’s structure. It was a strong reminder as to why we were undertaking the demolition and the urgency of getting the project started.

The next mystery to be solved is whether or not an underground fuel oil tank remains behind the building. We should know before the week is out.

Construction update for July 6

from Rick High


Construction update

Week of July 6, 2009

Hazardous materials abatement will continue this week.

Containment is in place with all windows sealed inside and out. The contractor has pressurized the building to keep all airborne hazards inside the building. The air leaving the building passes through filters designed for the purpose. The containment is inspected by the authorities prior to abatement beginning.

Today (Monday) the contractor should complete removal of all sheet rock from the building. Asbestos is present in the joint compound. Removal of the tile floors will follow (vinyl asbestos tile) and toward the end of the week window removal will commence (asbestos in glazing compound and caulking).

First day of construction - progress report

The driveway to the Fellowship Building is now blocked.
Construction workers only, hard hats required.


As you can see, the first day of construction was all about demolition and just about filled a dumpster!

This is not full of hazardous materials, these are the materials that had to be removed for the crew to reach the hazardous materials.