Bond steering update: Pelham district outlines HVAC upgrades and smaller Silwanoy addition
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Summary
The board heard a bond steering update on HVAC replacements at Prospect Hill and Colonial — shifting from steam to hot-water systems with added electric heat-pump components — and revised Silwanoy expansion plans emphasizing reduced massing, greater setbacks and a State Historic Preservation Office review; architects will present updated designs Dec. 10.
At the Nov. 19 meeting, Jackie delivered the bond steering committee update describing design progress for Prospect Hill and Colonial and revised plans for the Silwanoy expansion. Jackie said HVAC design is progressing and called out a planned transition from steam heating to hot-water systems, moving from a hybrid gas-and-oil system to gas-only while incorporating an electric heat pump to improve sustainability, ventilation and centralized controls.
On Silwanoy, the architect presented revised designs after extensive community feedback; the board was told the addition appears smaller in massing, matches existing architecture more closely, increases setbacks (reported as 37 and 50 feet) and repositions both elevators to minimize structural disturbance while enabling adjacent classrooms to be used for small-group instruction or office space. Jackie said the updated design has been submitted to the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) as part of the state review process.
Jackie said modular construction is being explored as a possible way to reduce on-site construction time and disruption if it proves comparable in quality and cost. Next steps announced included an architect presentation of updated designs at the Dec. 10 board meeting, a site-plan advisory meeting on Nov. 25, and a community information session on Dec. 17.
Board members commended the architects for incorporating community input and receiving a positive response from the bond steering committee. The update contained planning steps rather than final approvals; the board will receive revised plans and further project milestones at upcoming meetings.