Staff member, Facilities staff, told the RSU 40/MSAD 40 Facilities Committee that the district is finalizing design work and expects to begin construction this summer on a biomass central plant, a large septic system and assorted building upgrades, including replacement of about 90 windows and three awnings.

The presentation, which staff said will be distributed in hard copy, summarized phased work the district plans to complete by next summer: a biomass heating plant with contained storage (described as a “rate system” without an external silo), septic-system installation this summer, piping that will be trenched later through school grounds to connect the biomass plant to the high school and middle school, and controls and ventilation work at the Union, Friendship gymnasium and Miller School.

“One of the highlights of the biomass that made it appealing was we'll be receiving a $300,000 rebate from efficiency,” Staff member said, adding the district expects an additional roughly $15,000 in incentives tied to a thermal-usage meter installed on the boiler. Staff also said the district intends to apply in October for state revolving renovation fund loans; the applications will be decided in February, and staff described the program as one that may forgive a percentage of the project cost with the remainder repayable at 0% over 10 years through bonding.

Committee members asked about routing of piping to avoid extensive repaving, potential noise and odor from a biomass plant, delivery traffic and impacts to trees. Staff said the planned piping route is designed to have “very low impact on any of the parking lots,” running from a rear Miller Road entrance, along the side of the football field and into the high school and then the middle school. Staff said the septic work will require removing and replacing a chunk of pavement behind the school and that the piping work is phased to reduce disruption.

On community concerns about noise and odor, Staff member said the draft plans will include a full informational sheet addressing impacts (noise, odor, deliveries) and that the plant design should not produce noticeable noise beyond the building. Staff also said deliveries are expected to be weekly in winter—possibly twice weekly in extreme weather—and estimated about 30 deliveries per year.

Staff outlined project sequencing: start septic construction this summer, continue biomass installation and internal work, and pursue a second phase (controls and information systems) targeted for 2026–27. Staff said they are planning smaller spring projects now—controls upgrades at the Union and insulation and drop ceilings in classrooms—to be finished over the summer while larger work proceeds.

After the presentation, Staff member moved that “the facilities committee recommend to the board to approve capital improvements”; the motion was seconded by Committee member 1. The committee recorded the motion and second; no formal roll-call or final vote is recorded in the available transcript.

Staff provided program and procurement context: three local vendors provided pricing for the septic system and staff said they verified vendor experience; the biomass plant will be contained within a building and will include some additional maintenance/storage space. Staff said some of the projects may be eligible for state loan forgiveness and local thermal-rebate programs, and that staff will prepare educational materials for the community to explain benefits, credits and progress.