Mahwah board authorizes referendum materials, tentatively accepts state grants and OKs electricity-rate auction

The Mahwah Board of Education on July 23 authorized staff to begin preparing materials for a facilities referendum to be submitted to the state in September, tentatively accepted state ROD grants and approved holding an auction for electricity utility rates.

The actions matter because they move the district closer to seeking voter approval for capital work and allow administrators to pursue potential grant funds and lower energy costs without obligating the district to final commitments now. "It does not bind the district," Mr. William, staff member, said of the tentative ROD-grant acceptances. "We can accept or reject the bids, depending on the outcome of the auction," he added about the planned electricity-rate auction.

Board members moved the package of new-business items listed as 18a through 18x as a single motion. Miss Jansen, board member, moved the motion and Mr. Hughes, board member, seconded; the motion carried on roll call with board members voting yes. The motion included the district’s tentative acceptance of the ROD grants and authorization to conduct an auction for electric supply rates. Mr. William described the ROD-grant acceptances as a tentative acceptance from the state that "we're not turning down the money," and stressed the district is not bound to proceed.

Finance committee work has run parallel to the referendum preparations. "The committee will be busy with the preparatory work for the referendum issues," Mr. Gallo, board member, said, noting that agenda item 18 initiates the process to prepare materials for the district’s project submission to the state in September. Mr. Gallo also reported that Greg Romero applied for and the district received a $70,000 tree-planting grant to plant trees throughout the district; he described the award as funding to "beautify our canvas." The grant is separate from the referendum projects.

The electricity-rate auction was authorized as part of the consolidated motion. Mr. William said that if the auction is held and bids are returned, the district would retain discretion to accept or reject the bids. That means the auction is a procurement step but does not itself commit the district to a particular contract.

Other actions approved during the same meeting included routine personnel and minutes approvals. No public comment tied to these items was recorded at the meeting.

Next steps noted by the board are continued finance-committee work, completion of referendum materials for the September state submission, and, if authorized by staff after review, proceeding with energy procurement that may reduce utility costs for the district.