School committee files warrant article to restore $30,000 spent obtaining federal geothermal rebate

The school committee voted to file a warrant article asking town meeting to restore $30,000 to the school department’s budget after district staff advanced the funds to file for a federal rebate tied to a geothermal installation.

Background: Committee members said the town received $1,835,914.16 from a federal rebate filed under the Inflation Reduction Act related to geothermal work on a school project. The school department advanced $30,000 from its own budget to prepare and submit the IRS filing; the warrant article would restore that $30,000 from free cash to the school department’s current fiscal year budget so the district can use the restored money for early engineering work on replacement chillers at Mill Pond.

Committee action: A motion to submit the article as coming from the school committee was made and seconded. During discussion committee members asked where the $1.835 million was applied; presenters said the federal rebate was likely being applied to reduce town borrowing but that final disposition would depend on town counsel and town meeting. The committee recorded abstentions and proceeded with the filing vote. The motion to submit the warrant article passed with three members voting in favor and two abstentions.

Why it matters: Committee members said restoring the $30,000 quickly would allow the school department to begin engineering for Mill Pond’s chiller replacement and could let school‑side articles be withdrawn from the warrant if funds are restored. The district’s presenters said timing mattered because the rebate filing window and town meeting warrant deadlines dictated a prompt action.

Ending: The committee approved submitting the article to the town warrant; town counsel and town meeting will determine the final use of the $1.835 million rebate.