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Council approves first reading of $25.775 million supplemental bond for McGlynn, Andrews HVAC and roof work
Summary
Medford City Council voted unanimously 7-0 to approve first reading of a $25,775,000 supplemental loan order to complete HVAC upgrades, roof work and associated improvements at McGlynn and Andrews schools; the measure includes contingencies, ADA work and an equipment pre-purchase already completed.
On April 8 the Medford City Council approved, on first reading, a supplemental loan order for $25,775,000 to fund HVAC, structural and roofing work at the McGlynn and Andrews schools.
The project will replace boilers and cooling systems with new condensing boilers and heat pumps, upgrade automated controls, complete electrical and architectural work and perform weatherization and roof repairs. Council Vice President Collins moved to approve for first reading; the motion was seconded by Councilor Tsang and passed in a 7-0 roll call.
City staff described the work as a two‑phase project. Phase 1 included an equipment pre‑purchase and received earlier council approval; the presenters said approximately $3,300,000 of the previously authorized $5,000,000 was used to pre‑buy equipment. Construction in phase 2 is estimated at $22,945,000, with an owner contingency of $687,273, designer fees of roughly $1,300,000 and an owner's project manager fee of $484,000. Project managers also told council members they built in additional contingencies — more than $2,000,000 — for possible tariffs and second‑shift work to protect the schedule.
Assistant Superintendent Peter Cushing and Climate Planner Bridal Pike (presenting with the project team) said the project aims to have systems installed before the new school year. Pike said ADA upgrades identified during design are split into about $619,000 of upgrades considered reasonable to include now and an additional roughly $2,300,000 of upgrades the consultant flagged as high cost with small incremental benefit; the city will pursue variances for some of those items.
Staff also said the McGlynn roof will be refurbished for about $1.5 million rather than replaced at an estimated $3 million; they reported the fluid‑applied restoration yields a similar 20‑year warranty at lower cost and preserves the option to add solar as an alternate if the project comes in below budget. The team said Mass Save incentives of approximately $2.2 million are expected but are reimbursable after the city spends the funds.
Councilors pressed staff on financing options and the debt schedule. Councilor Scarpelli asked about using free cash instead of borrowing; city staff and the mayoral office said financing options, timing of borrowings and use of free cash would be reviewed as the project moves forward to reduce long‑term debt pressure on the operating budget.
The council approved the measure on first reading and will consider any further readings as required by the city’s loan order process.
Votes at a glance: motion to approve for first reading moved by Vice President Collins; seconded by Councilor Tsang; roll call vote recorded as: Councilor Callahan — yes; Vice President Collins — yes; Councilor Lozaro — yes; Councilor Lemming — yes; Councilor Scarpelli — yes; Councilor Singh — yes; President Bares — yes. Outcome: approved (first reading).
