By Melanie Petrucci, Senior Community Reporter
Photo/Melanie Petrucci
Northborough – On Nov. 18, at the Board of Selectmen meeting Selectman Juliane Hirsh reported as liaison to the White Cliffs Committee that work on its roof was to begin soon which should be completed by the end of December.
Town Meeting voters approved in April 2016 to purchase and preserve the historic property using $2.4 million in Community Preservation funds which is the same funding source for the roof repairs that are a part of Phase I of a multi-phase building project.
The project involves replacing all of the asphalt shingles and the two rubberized turrets, but does not include the rubber roofing of the buildings newer additions since they are not a part of the historic building, according to DPW Director Scott Charpentier.
“The shingles have exceeded their life. They are 20-year shingles; it’s been over 20 years it was time for them to be replaced,” remarked Charpentier.
He further stated that shingles are compromised in some locations as with most roofs that have met their life expectancy.
The contract includes stripping the old shingles and putting in new ice shields, installing new flashing and new crickets at the chimney.
In addition, the two turrets have existing rubber membrane roofs that are brittle due to age; these will be completely replaced as well.
“We are going to do what we can to mend the seam where the old rubber on the addition meets up with the historic building, so that the historic portion of the structure is kept as dry as possible,” Charpentier noted.
He also said that there are no other immediate restorations scheduled, however there is masonry work and some pointing around the chimneys that needs to be done.
When asked who the roofing contractor was, Charpentier shared that a local Northborough company, Richard Roofing, had been selected.
“He is actually the roofer that installed these shingles, he knows the building and he is very familiar with the structure and is really happy to be a part of maintaining it,” he stated.
For more information, visit www.town.northborough.ma.us/white-cliffs-committee.
