Pittsfield officials outline multi‑year capital plan; HVAC and elevator problems remain costly and complex

Director Filio (building maintenance) and Edward Casella (parks and school ground maintenance) briefed the joint body on school facilities work and a five‑year capital plan to address roofs, boilers and other major infrastructure needs.

Filio reviewed recent projects: replacement of major roofs (including a roughly $3 million roof on the Mercer building), new boilers at Allendale and Capeless, and a temporary boiler at Pittsfield High while new units are installed. He said the district is aiming to replace two to three boilers and one roof per year as funds allow and that he compiles work orders, maintenance schedules and input from technicians when prioritizing the five‑year plan.

Committee members asked whether the district had pursued Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) funding for boiler and roof projects; Filio said the city had not pursued MSBA grants to date and agreed it was a viable funding source to explore. Questions also focused on the Taconic High School HVAC failure: Filio said many installed units were out of warranty, manufacturers use proprietary parts, and the district is testing retrofit motors from an outside supplier before committing to a broader replacement plan.

Members discussed elevator renewals and the high cost of elevator technicians, and debated the tradeoffs of investing in expensive equipment in buildings that may be replaced as part of longer‑range school‑construction planning. Filio reported staff counts in his maintenance shop (electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs, painters and carpenters) and Casella described grounds work, athletics fields upkeep and seasonal staffing levels.

Both bodies voted to accept the presentations and place them on file.