Vermont State Colleges seek $10 million for deferred maintenance and Johnson heating-plant replacement

The Vermont State Colleges System asked the Senate Committee on Institutions on April 2 for $10,000,000 in capital funding for the next biennium, including money for major maintenance and to replace the Johnson campus heating plant.

The request, presented by Beth Moutf, chancellor of the Vermont State Colleges System, and Sharon Scott, chief financial and operating officer, seeks $3,000,000 for systemwide major maintenance and $5,000,000 toward a heating-plant replacement at the Johnson campus; the colleges said they are requesting an additional $2,000,000 above current House funding to meet the total $10,000,000 ask.

Why it matters: college officials said the Johnson heating plant is original equipment more than 60 years old and in fragile condition, raising the risk of “catastrophic failure” that could disrupt campus heating and community services. Officials framed the funding request as life-safety, accessibility and deferred-maintenance work intended to…