MONROE, CT — A clear plastic tarp hangs down over the left side of the St. Jude School building as a construction crew works behind it, replacing the old unstable wall with concrete block reinforced by rebar and poured cement.
Deputy Public Works Director Bill Phillips said DiBlasi Associates PC, a Monroe firm, had done a structural engineering survey of the building and found there was no rebar coming up from the foundation to reinforce the wall, which had developed a crack over the years and was slowly swaying.
First Selectman Terry Rooney said the wall was identified as a safety issue when the town was pursuing the purchase of St. Jude, 707 Monroe Turnpike, to use as a community center under his predecessor Ken Kellogg’s administration.
Before the town could safely use the building, Rooney said the wall outside the gymnasium had to be replaced. The Town Council approved of the work.
“We put out an RFP and followed CHRO and state requirements,” Rooney said.
He said early estimates came in around $1.2 million, but after formal bids were placed, the town approved of Titan Enterprises to do the job for $485,000.
Titan is owned by Monroe residents, husband and wife, Anthony and Maria Esposito.
“We were pleasantly surprised that we were able to do this project for far less than originally anticipated and still have structural integrity and quality we would expect from a project like this,” Rooney said.
During a Town Meeting on October 23, 2023, residents approved $3 million for the building and the purchase was finalized on November 6, 2024.
Rooney, who came into office in November of 2023, said the $3 million comes from the undesignated fund balance and has money for repairs, including the wall.
Phillips said the way the original wall was built would not have met today’s standards. A metal structure was installed as a stabilizing force to hold up the weight of the roof, while the old wall was dismantled, and now the new one is being properly built.
Phillips estimates the concrete wall will be completed within two weeks, leaving the brick fascia and other minor work. Anthony Esposito told The Sun he believes the entire project will be complete before Halloween.
All respectful comments with the commenter’s first and last name are welcome.
