Swampscott Elementary project closed out; town to seek federal and utility reimbursements for geothermal and solar

District staff told the joint meeting Thursday that the new Swampscott Elementary School is effectively complete and in post‑occupancy commissioning, though a small punch list and utility metering issues remain.

Facilities Director Max Casper said the project achieved substantial completion Aug. 9, 2024, with convocation and opening activities in late August. “This is a real picture of the front of the building. This is not a rendering,” he said during a presentation, and described the building as fully electric and pursuing LEED Gold certification. Casper said the geothermal HVAC system relies on “over 80 wells out in the front of the building” that provide heating and cooling for large portions of the building.

Casper reviewed remaining close‑out work: contractors and subs began the project with more than 5,000 punch‑list items; the team reported they were down to 27 outstanding items and moving into a post‑occupancy commissioning phase. He said HVAC final balancing, commissioning and warranty work remain priorities; the HVAC system carries a two‑year contractor warranty. Casper also raised ongoing items: final National Grid metering for some transformers, continuing work on snow removal and pedestrian safety at walkways during freeze‑thaw conditions.

Finance and incentive highlights presented to the boards included three separate revenue sources that improved the project’s financial picture:

- An additional Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) reimbursement of about $530,000 tied to the timing of the project’s bids and the MSBA formula adjustments. - National Grid incentives tied to the project’s efficiency and geothermal system: Casper said the district had already received “over $890,000” and expects a second payment of about $480,000 after one year of measured operation, likely in 2026. - Federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) direct‑pay reimbursements for eligible geothermal and solar costs. Casper said district consultants and engineers identified roughly $9,000,000 in eligible geothermal costs; at the current direct‑pay rate of 25.5%, the district expects approximately $2,250,000. He said the district was “on the cusp of filing” the IRA paperwork and could receive a payment as soon as 45 days after filing.

Casper said rooftop solar work under contract with Consigli is expected to begin in spring pending a National Grid study; the district is also evaluating a larger solar canopy project that could be a future town capital article. He cautioned that some federal policy uncertainty could affect later canopy projects but said the geothermal direct‑pay reimbursement is unlikely to be affected because the geothermal system is already installed.

Committee members asked about utility accounting and where those incentives will be applied; town and school staff said MSBA and IRA reimbursements are restricted to the project and will likely be used to reduce project debt or pay project‑related costs, while National Grid incentives come into town revenue (subject to municipal budgeting rules).

The facilities presentation also credited multiple town departments for roadway and sidewalk work performed around the school during the project and noted the change to Orchard Road traffic flow and new ADA ramps that improved arrival and dismissal circulation.

The committee received the update; no formal policy votes were required on the close‑out presentation. Staff said they will return with final commissioning and utility accounting details when they are complete.