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ABRSD warns of $150M+ backlog, plans rooftop‑unit replacement and funding mix

Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee · November 7, 2025
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Summary

Facilities staff told the committee a facilities condition assessment identified more than $150 million in needed projects as many systems reach end of useful life; the district plans near‑term rooftop‑unit engineering ($4.4M estimate), is pursuing DOER and Mass Save incentives, and flagged the possibility of future bonding.

District facilities staff presented a multi‑year capital plan that they said was driven by a 2023 facilities condition assessment and earlier recommendations from the 2016 Dorr & Whittier master plan.

Brendan Hurn, capital projects manager, summarized the scale: “there's over $150,000,000 worth of work” in rough estimates and noted that many building systems built between 1995 and 2005 are reaching typical 30‑ to 50‑year end of useful life. He told the committee staff are prioritizing safety, accessibility and energy‑related projects and are leveraging incentive programs where possible.

Near‑term priorities include engineering and first‑phase work for replacing 11 rooftop HVAC units at the high school (early overall project estimate ~$4,400,000), and the district reported receiving a DOER Green Communities grant of approximately $500,000 toward that project. Hurn emphasized that current estimates were preliminary and that procurement rules for large projects require an owner's project manager before designer selection.

The presenters reviewed other candidate projects for FY27–FY28: resurfacing at Blanchard, bleacher evaluation in the Reagan Gym (carried as an estimated $300,000 item if full replacement is needed), wheelchair‑lift replacement at the high school, automated door operators for accessibility, radio upgrades, and exploratory engineering for a consolidated bus depot to enable electrification of the fleet.

Facilities staff warned the committee that available general‑fund capital is modest (a $1M annual allotment recently) and that some projects may require bonding or alternate funding sources beyond FY27. They also noted project timing limitations tied to federal incentive deadlines: projects not under way by July 1 risk losing certain incentives.

Committee members asked about a proposed cell tower and district‑owned radio infrastructure; staff said installation of district conduits had been budgeted but tower timing may push some infrastructure work to FY27. On solar battery siting, staff reported the Board of Health declined an original battery location and Nexamp is exploring alternatives, creating cost and timeline uncertainty.

The committee instructed facilities to continue refining cost estimates, to pursue grants and rebates for decarbonization, and to coordinate project timing with available incentives and town partners.