Community Corner

Crews Move Colburn School Ahead of Schedule

Plans called for the move to take place the week of January 3, but crews found themselves ahead of schedule Wednesday.

In a surprise turn of plans, Geddes Building Movers, who have been working at the Colburn School in order to move the building, began the actual move on Wednesday.

The move came as a surprise to Library Director Tom Viti, who .

But Geddes decided to take advantage of the clear weather Wednesday morning, and began sliding the building back on a number of steel beams using powered hydraulics.

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"It's nice to see it finally moving," said Peter Paravalos, Chairman of the Westwood Historical Commission. "I think the historical commission has been waiting a long time to get this moving."

Paravalos is on the  – which is looking for ways to have the building sold and renovated for reuse after the new library is constructed – was on site with Town Engineer Jeff Bina Wednesday to photograph and monitor the move.

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The weather didn't remain clear for long, however, as windy snow squalls and cold temperatures caused things to slow down by about 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday. But workers for Geddes and Westwood Department of Public Works crews fought through the weather to keep the project moving. 

The building was moved partially back into the parking lot, and Geddes had planned to complete the move by Thursday afternoon, Paravalos said, pending any inclement weather. 

Editor's Note: Westwood Town Engineer Jeff Bina contributed close-up photos of the move to Westwood Patch. 


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