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Board hears tight timeline, higher energy costs for Windermir School; solar feasibility to be studied
Summary
The Ellington Board of Education was told Windermir School will open on schedule but with an interior punch list remaining, warranties tied to punch‑list completion in places, and projected electricity costs three to four times higher due to new HVAC/air‑cleaning systems. The permanent building committee will commission a solar feasibility study to assess costs and funding options.
The Ellington Board of Education on Monday heard a construction update for Windermir School that warned the building will open on time in August but that significant interior work will remain on a punch list for several months.
"It will be tight and we'll have a punch list," said Miriam, an operations committee member, summarizing the committee walk‑through and follow‑up at the permanent building committee. She said some warranties begin at user occupancy while others begin only after punch‑list completion, an issue the board will track during closeout.
Architect and project staff reported unfinished items including learning stairs, some windows and doors, and remaining interior finishes. Peter Welty, speaking for the project team, cautioned the board that new HVAC systems intended to improve air quality and provide cooling could increase electrical load substantially: "our electric cost for Windermir could be running as high as three to four times what we were paying before," he said.
Committee members said changes in state rules now allow some solar funding that was not anticipated when the project began; the permanent building committee will pay for a feasibility study to identify which roofs can support panels and whether a 20‑year costs‑and‑benefits analysis would justify adding solar. "We're exploring feasibility studies," Miriam said, adding that the committee and architect would coordinate with the district's bond provider to determine whether state money could legally be applied to such work.
Board members and staff said they will monitor the warranty start dates tied to punch‑list completion and expect follow‑up reports from the permanent building committee in July and again to the board in August.
