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Weston Board approves $3.336M capital budget after debate over $1.75M Hurlbut HVAC upgrade
Summary
The Weston Board of Education approved a $3,336,000 capital budget that includes an estimated $1.75 million line for a Hurlbut (North House) HVAC replacement. Board members debated whether to fully fund the estimate now or split the cost over two years to level town requests and preserve contractor availability.
The Weston Board of Education on Jan. 28 voted to approve a $3,336,000 fiscal year 2026 capital budget after an extended discussion centered on a proposed $1,750,000 HVAC replacement at Hurlbut (North House).
Administrators and facilities staff told the board the HVAC need at Hurlbut has been deferred for years and that the district must decide whether to commit the full estimated cost now or phase funding over two fiscal years. Phil Doak and facilities staff said funds for study and design have been previously allocated and that the district plans to issue an RFP for engineering work within weeks.
“We've put items on our capital budget, and those items have been deferred,” a facilities staff member said, summarizing a decade of deferred work. Phil Doak noted that the updated capital schedule shows projects funded over two years and that consultant and engineering costs would be front‑loaded in year one.
Board members split on how to present the Hurlbut estimate to town finance bodies. Some members urged full commitment now to secure contractors and avoid further delay. One board member with HVAC technical ties warned that lack of commitment repeatedly sidelines these projects: "I'd rather, commit to 1.3 and get a lot, and then it's done," the member said when arguing for full funding and a firm timeline.
Others proposed reducing the initial town request by half — shifting roughly $875,000 of the HVAC ask to the next year — to smooth the town’s capital spike and reduce competition with other municipal requests. Administrators responded that partial funding could be used to order long‑lead equipment and that the remainder could be funded in the following budget cycle if the board and town agreed.
The board also discussed implementation timing and contractor availability. Facilities staff said that an RFP would be issued in the next two weeks with the aim of providing a firm cost estimate before the Board of Finance votes in March; staff estimated the full HVAC project at about $1.75 million. Several board members said that contractors are less likely to commit unless funding is clearly appropriated.
Motion and vote: Board member David moved to approve the fiscal year 2026 capital budget in the amount of $3,336,000. The motion passed on a roll call; recorded votes were Lisa Luff (yes), Peter Gordon (yes), Michael Guido (yes), David (no), Sharon (yes). One member, Chad, was absent and did not vote. The capital package as approved includes an estimated $1,750,000 line item for the Hurlbut HVAC project; the administration said the line may be phased or reallocated depending on town decisions and contractor timelines.
Administrators said they will continue to coordinate with the Board of Finance and the Board of Selectmen and may seek special appropriations or staggered funding if project timing requires.
