City Roofing Project Incurs Cost Overrrun

The new roof at the 15-year-old Haverhill police station has incurred a cost overrun of  $79,300.

As first reported by WHAV last week, a new roof ventilation system was added to the the $367,825 replacement roof project at the police headquarters building on Bailey Boulevard. Haverhill city councilors will be asked Tuesday to approve the additional spending.

Costs include $73,300 for a new roof ventilation system by Meadows Construction of Newburyport and $6,000 for roofing project managers Gale Associates of Weymouth. The costs are substantially higher than the typical 5 percent set aside for cost overruns.

Police Chief Alan R. DeNaro suggsets the council transfer amounts from the D’Alessandro trust fund.

Orlando Pacheco, purchasing agent and energy manager, told WHAV the last phase of the project required additional venting to achieve better airflow.

“Better air circulation will allow for any moisture to be released,” he told WHAV. The roofing project was bid a year ago before Pacheco began as purchasing agent.

The new police station was constructed in 1999 at an initial cost of $6.6 million. Donham & Sweeney, Boston, served as architect; Palladium Construction Corp., Wakefield, was general contractor and DM Berg Consultants, Needham, performed engineering services. A subcontractor declared bankruptcy during construction, delaying the building’s opening a year and after concerns about leaking roofs and poor workmanship.

The Haverhill City Council meets at 7 p.m., Tuesday, in council chambers at Haverhill City Hall.