Action in Brief

4-10-06 School Committee Meeting

· The Committee heard from and asked questions of the consultants of Energy and Resource Solutions about their work in conducting the energy audit at Day Middle School and the mini-audits of the other buildings. The Committee reviewed the prioritized projects outlined by Mike Cronin, Chief of Operations, that could be performed in the schools and could result in savings, with the goal of spending some small amount of money with a quick return on investment. The Mayor announced a $500,000 savings, as a result of underestimating the number of employees/retirees for which the City has to pay health insurance, which could be used for this purpose or any legitimate school expense. The Committee wanted to have further discussion about this issue because they need to weigh and balance other budget items/needs.

· Mike Cronin reviewed the Proposed FY07 Capital Improvement Program projects, of which they are proposing that a significant amount of funding be utilized to take advantage of cost savings that will flow from energy-related capital investments in items such as boilers, windows, roof top units, etc. The Proposed FY08-12 CIP Plan will be presented at the next meeting. The Committee requested that these items be prioritized for the next meeting and include more details and time sensitiveness of the projects.

· The Committee voted to proceed with the plans to enter into the leasing of computers for next year building upon the success of the Newton North computer lease project. Discussion was had around lease to buy vs. lease to update and while it was noted that the latter is more preferable, given fiscal constraints it is not possible.

· The Committee voted the following on summer use of buildings and air-conditioning surcharges:

Recommend that the energy efficiency of the facilities be an important factor in determining placement of summer programs in buildings and, wherever practical, effort be made to place school department activities in the most energy efficient appropriate buildings.

Support modest investments (less than $10,000 per building) that will allow centrally air-conditioned buildings to maintain air-conditioned offices while unoccupied spaces are at minimal settings.

Pilot air-conditioning surcharges for C permits effective July 1, 2006.

Report to the School Committee by first meeting in November, 2006 the results of the pilot program and recommendations on policy and specific charges for air-conditioning for FY08 (summer 2007) and beyond.