Central Falls committee votes to pursue due diligence on citywide rooftop solar including new schools

The Central Falls School Building Committee voted to authorize due diligence on a proposed citywide rooftop solar program that would include the new Central Falls High School and the new dual-language PK–8 facility.

A committee member moved to conditionally award Oak Square Partners (referred to in the packet as a recommended respondent) the opportunity to investigate whether a citywide rooftop-solar program is feasible; the motion stipulates the award is for the next step of due diligence only and does not commit the city or the schools to construction or purchase.

The motion language presented to the committee said staff and the ownership group have reviewed the recommended respondent and the city purchasing board has reviewed the procurement. The speaker for the motion said: “We are not committing ourselves to doing anything. We’re committing ourselves to the next step of due diligence. And we reserve the right to do nothing.” The motion was seconded by Sarah and passed by voice vote with no members recorded as opposed.

Committee members said city staff (named in the meeting as Alberto and Mary) will ‘quarterback’ the next-step diligence and return to the committee with findings. Staff clarified that the due-diligence step could include assessing rooftop capacity, contracting structure, financing options and inclusion of city-owned buildings beyond schools.

The committee did not approve construction or funding at this meeting; the vote authorized further study only. Staff will report findings to the committee when due diligence is complete.