Burst Pipe Impacts Heat at Hurley

A burst pipe resulted in some chilly classrooms at Hurley Middle School recently.

Seekonk School Superintendent Rebecca Kidwell showed pictures of the pipe at Monday’s school committee.

The condition of the pipe has continued to deteriorate.

“That’s the main header pipe that controls all the heating for the entire middle school,” Kidwell explained. “So with a hole in it that’s leaking water, we can’t heat any of the middle school. We’re getting close to the part where there’s more patches than pipe.”

A new section of pipe was installed to replace the section that rotted.
“It’s a substantial investment to keep this going and we have three other (school) buildings and needs that aren’t just a heating system,” Kidwell said.

A study of all school buildings was conducted in 2022 by Colliers. $15 million worth of needs were identified for Hurley Middle School, including an HVAC system, roof replacement, upgrade of the electrical service and distribution panels, exterior masonry, and work on the parking areas.

Kidwell acknowledges replacing the boiler is a priority.

“Our direction forward on this will be determined by the School Committee and Select Board,” Kidwell said Tuesday. “Our next step is to consider submitting a statement of interest for an MSBA (Massachusetts School Building Authority) core project, which could lead to a new building. If the town does not want to pursue the MSBA reimbursement and new construction process, then we would start to look at options for repair and replacement of crucial systems, including the middle school heating system.”