Westborough splits pool ventilation from rooftop RTU upgrades to capture state rebates

Town staff told the Municipal Building Committee they are advancing rooftop RTU (roof-top unit) replacements now to capture substantial state energy-rebate incentives and have separated the pool-pack (natatorium ventilation) work from the rebate-funded RTU package because the pool pack is not fully covered by rebates.

Chris, who presented the energy opportunity to the committee, said an assessment completed before the town’s building purchase identified large capital items, including RTUs. Replacing those RTUs now allows the town to access several $100,000 in rebates through a third-party energy program the town is using (named in meeting as EnergySource). Because the pool pack—ventilation specific to the pool—is not fully rebate-eligible, staff placed it in a separate warrant article to avoid spending on ventilation that may not be needed immediately if the pool itself is not approved for funding.

Staff said the RTU replacements and the rebate program have timing constraints and that acting now makes fiscal sense. Committee members asked whether the vendor performing the initial proposal controls eligibility for rebates; staff said the town is working through a third-party program manager that coordinates with contractors and may limit who performs the work under its program. Committee members asked to see vendor quotes and rebate documentation; staff agreed to provide those when available.

Separating the pool pack from the RTU rebate package preserves the opportunity to capture state incentives for building-wide HVAC while leaving pool-specific ventilation to be decided based on the pool’s final funding and operational plan.