The Permanent Public Building Committee heard a construction update on the Emery Grover project and discussed using an Eversource rebate to seed a proposed sustainability stabilization fund.

Ken (staff) told the committee on Jan. 6 that the Emery Grover punch list is largely being resolved but that a handful of items remain, including weather‑dependent exterior painting and gates, several interior plumbing and electrical items, warranty follow‑ups and an elevator that experienced recent shutdowns. Barry (staff) and Ken said staff are pursuing warranty responses from contractors and that the elevator is a custom installation, which could complicate repairs.

Chair Richard Green and other committee members asked follow‑up questions about the elevator and the pace of contractor work. Ken said the elevator problems have been intermittent; two of the shutdowns were similar and two were different, and the project team is waiting for a report from the elevator contractor. Committee members noted that if failures become recurrent the town would be more concerned, but at the Jan. 6 meeting staff reported the unit was working and the custodian and occupants were safe.

During the same agenda segment Hank (staff) briefed the committee on a $92,000 rebate the town received from Eversource related to the projects. He said the money will return to the town’s general fund but staff plan to discuss a possible “sustainability stabilization fund” with the town manager and finance director. The concept, Hank said, would mirror similar funds in peer communities that hold rebates and dedicated sustainability receipts to be re‑appropriated for energy efficiency and related projects; he said staff will explore whether a warrant article or an alternate mechanism is required to create and use such a fund.

Committee members asked whether town meeting approval would be required to expend funds kept in such a stabilization fund; Anne (committee member) said she believes town meeting must appropriate stabilization funds and that after appropriation the funds can be spent for the fund’s stated purposes by the designated authority. Other members noted the finance committee and Select Board would be part of the conversation and that a white paper is being prepared to show how other communities have structured these funds. Staff said they will monitor electric meters to track building energy use and to determine whether the project achieves the town’s target energy use intensity (EUI) of 30.

Ending

Staff said they will continue to chase warranty items, monitor the elevator and return with progress reports. The town’s next steps on the Eversource rebate include meetings with the town manager and finance director and potential follow‑up at town meeting or a future warrant, depending on the approach the town chooses.