Town-hall HVAC and ductwork plan moves forward; commission asks independent duct assessment
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Summary
Public works told the commission that town-hall HVAC equipment and ductwork are original and failing; staff recommended full replacement and provided Sourcewell cooperative pricing. Commissioners asked for an independent ductwork review to determine whether some existing ducts can be salvaged to reduce cost and operational disruption.
Public works presented a plan on Oct. 29 to replace the town-hall air-conditioning units and most of the ductwork. Staff said the current system is old, repairs have been recurring, and the building's internal reconfigurations over time have disrupted airflow; a new system would include redesigned air distribution and updated ducts.
Cost context: Earlier open bids and cooperative pricing (Sourcewell) produced estimates in the mid-six-figure range; earlier bids obtained in 2024 averaged roughly $1.3M'$1.5M (one outlier was higher). Public works said the town had budgeted funds for the project and requested commission approval to proceed from a project-approval and procurement standpoint.
Commission direction: Several commissioners asked staff to separate the unit purchase from full duct replacement and to commission an independent evaluation of existing ductwork to determine whether cleaning and selective replacement would be safe and cost-effective. Commissioners asked staff to return with an updated scope and to identify warranty and code-compliance details; staff responded that Sourcewell pricing and bid documents were available and that warranties would be included in contract proposals.
Next steps: Staff will seek the independent duct assessment and return with a refined recommendation and timeline before final award of any construction contract.