Medford committee reviews $5 million phase of proposed HVAC and roof bond for two schools

Medford City Council’s Committee of the Whole on Jan. 14 reviewed paper 24510, a loan order requesting $5 million in phase 1 funding for HVAC system replacements and roof refurbishment at the McGlynn complex and Andrews Middle School.

The presentation from Medford Public Schools and city project staff said both buildings, opened in 2001, have aging systems and “are currently in various stages of failure,” and recommended moving now to pre-purchase long-lead equipment and advance construction documents so classroom heating and cooling can be available for the start of the 2025–26 school year. Phase 2 was described as a larger construction phase estimated at roughly $23 million to $26 million to be brought back to the council in spring for additional authorization.

Why it matters: School officials said deferred maintenance and obsolete refrigerants (R‑22) make repairs costly or impractical and that early procurement is needed to avoid increasing material and tariff-driven price risk. The administration said Mass Save incentives are expected to reimburse about $2.2 million, but rebates are reimbursed after expenditure and so the city must appropriate funds up front.

Presentation and timeline: An unnamed assistant superintendent for the schools and the city’s project team…