North Springfield School Changes

A huge 5,500 gallon underground heating oil tank was recently unearthed from behind North School and recycled as scrap metal. The building's heating system has not been in use since the school was closed down over 20 years ago.

http://compasspaper.com/north-springfield-school-changes-p2075-111.htm           North School Preservation Society, James Soucy and Edwin Fransen Rick Salzinger Photo       &sbsp; A huge 5,500 gallon underground heating oil tank was recently unearthed from behind North School and recycled as scrap metal. The building's heating system has not been in use since the school was closed down over 20 years ago.       &sbsp; Gurney Brothers Construction performed the excavation and removal. Alan Liptak of the environmental consulting firm KAS, Inc. of Williston, VT was on hand overseeing the operation and taking samples. A small amount of fuel was still in the tank and had to be pumped out. An evaluation of the tank and underlying soil showed no evidence of leakage but the tank was definitely in the beginning stages of rusting out. Funding for this project came from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 1 and the Southern Windsor County Regional Planning Commission Brownfields.       &sbsp; While the big dig was taking place outside, lead paint specialists were going over the inside with electronic sensors. Lead was found in the classrooms but it was mostly limited to the white paint around the windows.       &sbsp; The Springfield School District is planning to convey the North School property to the non-profit North School Preservation Society in 2011 which should then make it possible to obtain grants to restore the building. Society members would like to re-open it as a community center for area residents. For more information, visit nsps.awardspace.us .       &sbsp;