BERNARDSTON — It was all hands on deck in Bernardston earlier this week, and the Selectboard wishes to thank all departments that assisted in evacuating students after a leak was detected in the Bernardston Elementary School boiler room.
Selectboard Chair Brian Keir said that shortly before 10 a.m. on Wednesday, the heating system at Bernardston Elementary began leaking antifreeze. Occupants were evacuated to the Bernardston Senior Center, Cushman Library and United Church of Bernardston.
“They had a leak in the boiler room that was causing some odors and the decision was made to evacuate the school,” Keir said. “It was before lunch, so food was brought in, and the Senior Center cooked more food to help feed the kids. That went pretty well.”
After lunch, students were reunited at Cushman Park, where they played until the end of the school day. With help from the Police Department, Fire Department and Massachusetts Department of Transportation, which loaned cones to the town, Keir said “pickup went beautifully” and was even faster than it usually is when held at the school.
“We do want to say thanks to the Bernardston Police and Fire [departments]. The crew spent a good chunk of the day down there just providing safety for the kids,” Keir said. “And for [Senior Center Director] Pam Parmakian, her staff and the volunteers at the Senior Center who just quickly turned the page and went on as if it were a normal day, and brought the kids in with open arms. … It was almost like a community event.”
Keir said that similarly, at the library, Director Lori Novis and her staff helped children pick out books and find coloring materials.
Repairs to the heating system were made the same day, allowing education to proceed normally for the rest of the week.
“We couldn’t ask it to go any smoother,” Fire Chief Peter Shedd said.
