Historical Commission supports Tremont Nail sprinkler fix

Feb 6, 2014

In a brief conversation on the matter, the Wareham Historical Commission vocalized its support for the Municipal Maintenance department replacing sprinklers at Tremont Nail Factory.

“This is a hot button item in this town, and it’s almost political suicide to say the words ‘Tremont Nail Company,’” said Angela Dunham, the commission’s chair. “I take that back. It is political suicide to say ‘Tremont Nail Company’ out loud.”

David Menard, the director for the Municipal Maintenance department, applied for Community Preservation Committee funds to fix the failing fire suppression system at the Nail Factory.

Selectmen voted 4-1 on Jan. 28 to allow the Municipal Maintenance department to apply for $595,000 in improvements to the Tremont Nail Factory.

“There is a proposed CPA article for the sprinkler system for the main building and the building along the riverside for the dry system sprinklers,” Dunham said. “It’s leaking, and they’re looking for possible CPA funds to replace it with a new system.”

“It keeps springing leaks, and the fire department of course gets the alarm, and goes down there,” Dunham said.

Menard said the Fire Department would not allow the failing system to be shut down for safety reasons.

“Dave Menard is in touch with fire engineers trying to, and in discussion with the fire department, come up with a resolution to this situation, and that’s where I want it left because it’s true,” Dunham said. “People are making comments that are off-the-cuff and unknowledgeable.”

“We are aware of the situation, and we support a solution,” Dunham said.