Infrastructural renovations to MHS nearly complete Improvements are phase two of school overhaul BY JAY BODAS Correspondent In a few year's time, incoming students to Metuchen High School will enter a newly renovated school. "Three years ago, this community was involved in the discussion of passing a bond issue for which we would renovate this high school and provide new windows for Edgar School," said George Trapp, Board of Education president, at last week's meeting. "That bond issue passed overwhelmingly, and we proceeded to put that contract out for bid and to proceed with the work as we had presented to the community at that time. We are now in the home stretch of the construction phase of that project." The total budget for the project is approximately $27 million, with the state contributing 40 percent of that amount, according to Trapp. There are three phases to the construction. Phase one is already complete and involved construction of a new artificial turf field and new windows for the old wing of Edgar School. Phase two, which is expected to be completed on schedule in December 2007, is the most extensive phase. Phase two involves work on the infrastructure of the building, gymnasium and cafeteria. New lighting and whiteboards were installed in every classroom, according to Trapp. "The remaining pieces of work include the library," project architect Thomas Andrasz said. "Carpeting remains to be done along with final touch-up painting and installation of furniture, but they also appear to be on schedule." Renovation work on the auditorium and on several groups of second-floor classrooms will continue until the end of December, he said. Trapp said there was originally a "fear" that there would be "significant extra costs" with the project. "I know there was a concern on the part of all of us and members of the community that because it had been 50 years since the building had been constructed, we didn't know what we would find until we tore down ceilings and walls," he said. Andrasz said that there were "not a lot of big surprises" with the work as the structure of the building was sound. "We had allowances built into the project," he said. "Some of the surprises were in the asbestos and hazardous material category where walls were taken down, and there were some remnants of asbestos found on piping." One issue that was discussed at last week's Board of Education meeting is the planned use of a new type of bleachers that have preformed seats as opposed to wooden planks. As a result, the new bleachers will result in less total seating capacity. "Currently we are at 370," Andrasz said, referring to the total seating capacity of the new bleachers. "I don't recall the original capacity. Though we may be able to add one additional row on one side, which would get us 40 additional seats." Brennan asked why the new type of bleachers was used. "They have a more ergonomic, more modern design," Andrasz said. "They will take abuse as well as wooden ones would have, regardless of whether there are molded plastic or wood. Also, with the wooden continuous bench, if it got damaged, you would have to replace the whole bench." The final third phase of the project will involve construction of a new parking lot, roadways, front sidewalks and exterior light poles. "Phase three we intend to put out to bid in December, but we can't do that work while school is in session," Trapp said after the meeting. "It will be done once school is out of session next summer."