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Berwick Area SD board approves notice to proceed for HVAC and building-systems work
Summary
The Berwick Area School District board approved a notice to proceed allowing the district to order long-lead equipment for a proposed HVAC and infrastructure upgrade project that would add classroom cooling, a generator and electrical upgrades. Board members recorded yes votes; the full roll-call was not read into the record.
The Berwick Area School District board on Thursday approved a notice to proceed that allows staff to begin ordering long-lead electrical and mechanical equipment for a proposed HVAC and broader building-systems upgrade project.
The project presented to the board includes decentralized classroom cooling using vertical heat-pump units for individual classrooms, replacement of the boiler and related piping work, an upgrade of the district electrical service from 800 amps to 1,200 amps, installation of a generator to power critical systems (fire alarm, security, IT and at least one boiler), and optional lighting and fire-alarm replacement work. Presenters described several package and phased options that range from addressing classrooms only to a full-build option that includes controls and lighting.
District staff and the engineering team told the board that classroom cooling is the “primary focus” of the work, and that the selected vertical units would be installed in most rooms with ductwork routed above ceiling plenums where required. Presenters also said the units include energy recovery features and that the design allows some capacity for future classroom additions. The board was told electrical equipment has the longest lead time, which was the principal reason to approve a notice to proceed now so parts can be ordered.
The motion to approve was made and seconded; members recorded at least two “yes” votes on the roll call (Mister Taylor and Mister Eisenhower were recorded as voting yes in the partial roll call recorded in the transcript). The board chair announced the motion carried. A full roll-call tally for the notice-to-proceed vote was not read into the record in the portions of the transcript provided.
Public commenters raised questions after the vote about whether components would be American-made, availability of spare parts, a 20-year payback claim cited by a speaker, possible tax impacts and a request for a backup maintenance plan. District staff responded in part that the district has funds available to proceed and that the notice to proceed was mainly to secure long-lead pieces; presenters also emphasized that a generator would support IT and security systems during outages.
Next steps discussed by staff include final option selection, equipment procurement for long-lead items and integration of lighting and controls work if the board chooses the full option. Staff said further design and coordination with the district’s maintenance and IT teams would follow prior to full construction.
