Subject: Timony Summary

From: Caeli Tegan Zampach, Director of Public Health

Message:

Mayor Beauregard,

Below is a summary of the visit to Timony yesterday. Let me know if you'd like any more details included.

Inspectors reinspected the Timony Grammar School on January 27th, 2025, and saw the following progress:

• Custodian breakroom free of rodent droppings and entry points
• Staircase to 6th grade classrooms free of dust and dirt
• Classroom 140 carpet has been cleaned but could still benefit from replacement, trace amounts of rodent droppings present
• Hallway to the cafeteria free of dirt and dander
• Teacher’s breakroom free of dirt and rodent droppings; cabinets have been cleaned but could still benefit from replacement
• Boy’s locker room free of dirt, rodent droppings, and entry points; paint and lockers could still benefit from replacement
• Coaches’ room free of black substance, rodent droppings, and glue traps
• Girl’s locker room free of rodent droppings and moldy curtains
• Entry to gym free of dirt, rodent droppings, and entry points; exterior door still needs weather/rodent tightening

The following still serve as opportunities for improvement:

• Finish weather/rodent tightening of exterior doors
• Continued identification and repair of rodent entry points
• Cafeteria screen doors and maintenance room need cleaning
• Bookshelves in poor repair to be replaced in classrooms
• Gym storage area needs cleaning and prevention of rodent entry

Bellow is the report from the Bureau of Climate and Environmental Health’s Indoor Air Quality Assessment for the Marsh Grammar School.

View the Letter to the School
View the Full Report

Mayor Beauregard has informed the City Council of the decision to invoke the authority of the Mayor and CAFO under Chapter 278 of the Acts of 2018 to approve emergency contracts for immediate pest/rodent extermination and cleaning in Methuen's school buildings during the current holiday break immediately following the Department of Public Health’s inspection of the Marsh Grammar School on Friday, December 20.

Message from Superintendent Kwong:

Good Afternoon Methuen Families,

I am writing to update you on the facilities and maintenance work that will be performed over winter break. Since we received the Methuen Board of Health reports from late November/early December, MPS custodial and maintenance staff have been addressing identified areas of concern. Last week, the Methuen Board of Health returned to review progress at the Timony; you can find their emailed report here.

Over this winter break, an outside company secured by Mayor Beauregard and the MPS administration will deep clean classrooms and the kitchen at the Timony and clean the HVAC vents at the Marsh. In addition, Mayor Beauregard also secured Pest-End to thoroughly disinfect and clean any rodent droppings and potential pathogens at the Timony, Tenney, Marsh, CGS, and MHS beginning on Christmas Eve. The MPS custodial and maintenance staff will continue to clean spaces in all schools identified in the BOH reports. At the Timony, staff will also work through securing external entry points and replacing door sweeps.

We deeply appreciate the partnership and support the Mayor has shown in prioritizing the cleanliness and upkeep of our school facilities.

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate and have a very Happy New Year!

Sincerely,
Brandi Kwong
Superintendent of Schools

Related Resources:

• Read Mayor and CAFO's joint statement to the City Council
• Learn more about ongoing school cleanup efforts
• View Chapter 278 of the Acts of 2018

Subject: Timony Reinspection

Dear Mayor Beauregard,

Thank you for joining the Health, Human Services, and Inspections team during the reinspection of Timony Grammar School on December 19, 2024, to evaluate progress in addressing sanitation and pest exclusion issues previously identified.

During the walkthrough of the school, the inspection team observed improvements in sanitation and exclusion efforts, particularly in hallways and common areas. These areas are now better maintained, with fewer indications of conditions that could attract or support pests. However, substantial work remains to effectively prevent the entry and harborage of rodents. The following actions are necessary to address these ongoing issues:

• Exterior Exclusion: Comprehensive sealing of all potential entry points on the building exterior.
• Door Sweeps Installation: Installation of door sweeps on all exterior and interior doors to prevent rodent movement into and within the building.
• Removal or Containment of Harborage: Materials that could provide shelter or protection to rodents should be removed or kept in sealed containers.

To ensure the effectiveness of the exclusion efforts at the school, I recommend expanding the contract with Pest End to perform these tasks. Their expertise will ensure that all entry points are properly identified and addressed. Sanitation activities should occur only after pests have been removed and exclusion measures are in place. This order of operations will help maintain the integrity of the improvements made and prevent re-infestation.

I look forward to continued collaboration with the School Health and Safety Taskforce to continue and maintain the improvements being made to our schools.

Thank you,
Caeli Tegan Zampach

Good Afternoon, Marsh Families,

I hope this message finds you well as we begin winter break. Mayor Beauregard and I just wrapped up the full-day inspection of the Marsh Grammar School performed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health at the mayor's request and with support at the state level from Representative Ryan Hamilton. Throughout the day, staff and students observed the team walking through classrooms and visiting many common spaces.

We look forward to receiving the inspection report. Until then, we continue to actively focus on the areas of need outlined in the November Methuen Board of Health report. We are committed to the health and safety of our students and staff, and we will keep you informed of our progress.

Thank you, and happy holidays to all.

Brandi Kwong
Superintendent of Schools

Subject: Re: Inspection Marsh School 12-18-24

From: Darren Dee, Health Inspector, City of Methuen

Message:

Good morning.

To whom it may concern, our inspection yesterday identified some issues.

In one particular area of concern (storage, bathroom area between rooms 106 and 107) noted as an area of concern in our November report was not addressed during the intervening period between November's inspection and yesterday.

As Heidi stated to Mr. Gosselin during this visit, under the sanitary code 105 CMR 410.500, damage caused by water needs to be repaired properly. This means proper testing and remediation of the damaged area. If mold is suspected, it needs to be tested first to properly identify the course of action. This was our first requirement as evidence was seen substantiating the concerns for public health in the initial complaints that we received.

As I stated to Mr. Gosselin during yesterday's visit, "We" need to assume that it is until we see proof that it is not.

Second, questions came up regarding what the expectation was in reparations. I believe that we clarified this with Mr. Gosselin but just to reiterate, proper cleaning, air quality, and mold testing where and still should be the top priority. Once the testing is completed, a remediation plan should be formed. This should include but not limited to a safe plan of execution. This means that it needs to be done at the appropriate times. Ceiling tiles, insulation, overhead painting, sanding, and all mold remediation needs to be conducted when NO children are present. This was cause for concern yesterday.

We are always available for assistance in any way possible, but we need to reset the dialogue to work together with a strong focus on communication.

Please send us the results of the mold testing as soon they are received.

Thank you for your attention to this.

Darren Dee
Health Inspector, City of Methuen

Mayor Beauregard launched a new city hotline for Methuen Public Schools faculty and staff to confidentially report facilities issues. The phone number for the confidential reporting line is 978-794-3201.