Some say problems are expected when opening a new building, but others believe the issues that have arisen are indications that the school was opened too soon.

Roof leaks and a complication with the fire alarm system are among the problems that have arisen since the opening of the new Westbrook Middle School last week.

Representatives of the architect and school department say some glitches are expected when opening a new building and the issues that have come up have been addressed. But others believe they’re indications that the school was opened too soon.

The $34 million, 135,000-square-foot school opened on Jan. 20, more than two weeks later than was originally planned. The project has been under the scrutiny of school officials since the middle of December, when there were initial indications that it wouldn’t be ready on time.

While the majority of officials felt confident that the school was ready for students last week, others wanted to wait until everything was finished.

Arnold Gaudet, a member of the school’s building committee, said he’s received calls from “more than a handful” of staff members concerned about problems with the school’s fire alarm, geothermal heating and heat recovery systems, as well as roof leaks and temperature control.

An outspoken opponent of opening the school on Jan. 20, Gaudet said he’s “waiting for a disaster to happen in that building.”

However, Norm Justice, the project’s clerk of the works, characterized Gaudet’s concerns as “non-issues.”

“These are not out of the ordinary in a building of that complexity,” he said.

Tony DaCosta of Harvey Construction addressed the items Gaudet brought forward, calling them “minor issues.”

DaCosta said a loose cover on a fire alarm pull station had let moisture in, causing the system to go into “trouble” mode. It didn’t set off the alarm, and the problem was fixed immediately, he said.

Two roof leaks were found and fixed, DaCosta said, and wet ceiling tiles were replaced.

DaCosta said he didn’t know of any problems regarding the geothermal heating system and the heat recovery system has been up and running smoothly as of Tuesday.

Principal Brian Mazjanis said the middle school “is by far the most

put together” of the three new schools he’s moved into during his career.

“I couldn’t be more pleased with how things are going,” he said, noting the improved attitudes of teachers and students.

Rene Daniel, co-chairman of the building’s steering committee, said he is not too worried about the issues that have arisen, but still feels more work could have been done before students moved into the school.

“I would have felt better if we waited two more weeks,” he said.

School Committee Chairman Ed Symbol agreed, and said he’s heard that sentiment expressed by staff members. While he doesn’t doubt the validity of Gaudet’s concerns, he said he hadn’t heard from staff members about those specific issues and didn’t detect any problems while in the building.

However, walking around the school there’s a positive vibe – “the general buzz of being in a new building,” he said.

Gaudet, however, worries that there are more problems he has yet to hear about and knows it will be his tax dollars footing the bill to fix them.

“This is a prime example of what happens when you rush,” he said.

And he’s determined to keep after the construction company until he’s satisfied with the job.

“I don’t care if I look like the bad guy,” Gaudet said. “I can sleep well at night knowing I did the best I could.”

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