An asbestos contamination problem discovered at a high school in Bethel is likely to cost nearly $400,000 to rectify according to reports. The committee at Bethel High School has been given an estimate of $378,000 by contractors to fix the asbestos contamination problem.
Asbestos was found at the school during testing that was carried out earlier this year in May. Although no airborne asbestos was actually identified during the testing, the committee members all agreed that it was important to get the asbestos removed and dealt with as quickly as possible.
William Shannon, chairman of the building committee, stated: "We want to get the school cleaned up this summer." School board chairman Stuart Carlsen added: "We're in concurrence to get this done now." First Selectman Bob Burke agreed: "Absolutely. You have to do it when the children are out of the building."
The problem of asbestos came to light during testing earlier this year for a later scheduled asbestos abatement project. Although it was known that asbestos was present in the building, the level of the problem was not known until after testing had been carried out.