Freetown funds emergency boiler repair at FES; district to deploy Chromebooks bought with fundraising
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Summary
The subcommittee heard that Freetown approved emergency funds for a hot-water boiler at Freetown Elementary School, with work planned over the holiday break, and that the district will purchase Chromebook carts (about $30,000) funded by a readathon and donations.
The Town of Lakeville Regional Finance Subcommittee on Dec. 6 was briefed on facilities work at Freetown Elementary School (FES) and on a district technology purchase funded through local fundraising.
Committee members were told that the Freetown finance committee approved an emergency appropriation to replace or repair a hot‑water boiler at FES. District staff said they contacted two local vendors requested by Freetown; one was a wholesaler that did not perform installations, and staff could not reach the other (no voicemail). The district awarded the work to the low bidder that could perform installations and provided the contract paperwork to Freetown. Staff said the vendor plans to do the work during the holiday break at the end of the month to avoid disrupting school activities.
Committee members discussed logistics and safety: staff said the work will be scheduled when there are nobody on site for classes and that there is no food‑service activity requiring hot water that week. The facilities director, Bob Souza, is monitoring utilities and fuel‑oil costs; staff told the committee they plan to top off fuel tanks in December to reduce exposure to potential price increases on Jan. 1.
Separately, staff reported a planned purchase of Chromebook carts for the elementary school campus, funded through a readathon and supplemental donations. Technology staff approved the request; the carts include Chromebooks, warranties, licenses, mice and a charging/locking cart. The committee heard an approximate purchase figure of $30,000 for the Chromebook package and that Craig would bring a cart to the full school committee meeting for members to inspect.
Committee members thanked Freetown for approving the emergency funds and asked staff to report back if utility or cost conditions change. No formal vote was required on the vendor selection at the subcommittee meeting because the emergency funding had been approved by Freetown’s finance committee.
