The Beverly Public Schools' Finance & Facilities committee approved a fund transfer on Dec. 17 that moves $179,135.54 from the transportation revolving fund into the capital project fund to cover the district’s remaining share of eight electric buses and charging infrastructure.

Emma Pugliese, the district finance director, said the eight‑vehicle purchase comprises five full‑size buses and three smaller buses. She told the committee five large buses have been delivered and the three small buses remain to be delivered; procurement of chargers and other infrastructure is underway with an installation target by June 30.

Pugliese said the acquisition is largely grant‑funded: about $1.45 million from an EPA grant and approximately $1.46 million from a MassCEC (Clean Energy Center) grant, along with tax credits and other incentives that cover most costs. The $179,135.54 transfer represents the transportation revolving fund’s remaining contribution for buses and chargers.

Committee members asked about charger siting, vehicle maintenance and bidirectional (V2X) capability. Pugliese said chargers will be sited at the district bus depot and that some chargers will be bidirectional to enable vehicle‑to‑grid participation; enrollment in a National Grid program is planned once infrastructure is commissioned.

Dr. Jeffrey Silva and other committee members expressed interest in follow‑up details about V2X economics, whether the district would contract for exported energy and how electric vehicle leases from a vendor (Highland) interact with the new fleet. Pugliese said the district is working with project management assistance from MassCEC and local partners and expects infrastructure and enrollment with National Grid to be complete by fiscal year end.

The committee voted to approve the fund transfer. Pugliese said the transfer will be posted and the capital project fund will reflect the district’s contribution alongside the grant awards.