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After failing to win support for funding from the Energy and Sustainability Committee, the schools HVAC project might have one last chance for funding. The project would replace critical HVAC equipment on the roofs of Curtis Middle School and Haynes Elementary School. The current equipment is at the end of it’s useful life, and the Combined Facilities Director has warned that it could fail at any time, which could cause a school building closure.
On Tuesday, Town Manager Andy Sheehan informed the Select Board that the Town would likely be making a request for somewhere around $75,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds at their next meeting. The money would be used to fill the funding gap on the schools HVAC project. (38:30 and 41:40)
The Select Board asked a variety of questions about the project, but they were mostly similar to what was already discussed at the Energy and Sustainability Committee meetings. One new piece of information did emerge when Combined Facilities Director Sandra Duran informed the board that they are already experiencing humidity issues in the schools.
“The entire control systems this summer have been somewhat problematic. Our maintenance supervisor for the schools has been really challenged with trying to get those controls working by the time school starts. I was there a week or two ago and it was quite hot, very muggy, and not the greatest of conditions.” (56:38)
It was not clear after the discussion if the project would have majority support of the Select Board when the formal request comes in. The board members wanted more information to be included with the formal request.
The Town had previously asked the Energy and Sustainability Committee for $223,000 from the Solar Energy Revolving Fund, so $75,000 in ARPA funds won’t cover the full amount needed. To close the gap, the Town may have the option of going to the Finance Committee to ask for a transfer from the Reserve Fund, or Sudbury Public Schools could drum up a bit more money, though they’ve already come up with over $250,000 according to prior statements from the Superintendent. That’s all in addition to money appropriated at prior Town Meetings. The total project cost is now $1.2M.
The challenge for the town would be stitching together that patchwork of funding sources before it’s too late to order the equipment from the manufacturers. As Town Manager Sheehan indicated to the Select Board, the manufacturers are planning to shut down their factories soon to transition to production of equipment that complies with new refrigerant regulations that kick in on January 1, 2025. (1:05:22)
As for next steps… keep an eye on the Select Board to discuss the request at their next meeting, and it might even come up during a capital projects update with the Sudbury School Committee.