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Committee rescinds support for rooftop solar at proposed DPW headquarters, cites unfinished plans
Summary
The Advisory & Finance Committee voted to rescind its prior approval of Article 31, which would have authorized a rooftop solar lease at the proposed DPW headquarters, after staff and the OPM warned schematic designs and mechanical needs remain unresolved.
The Advisory & Finance Committee voted to rescind its earlier approval of Article 31, which would authorize a rooftop solar lease for the proposed Department of Public Works headquarters at 22 Mary B Lane, citing incomplete design plans and site-specific uncertainties.
Michael Cahill, the town’s climate resiliency and sustainability planner, told the committee that approving Article 31 would authorize the lease for rooftop panels and that failing to move forward could jeopardize funding tied to that lease. David Peck, chair of the Building Committee, and the project’s owners project manager (Pomroy Associates) told members the schematic design and plans are not complete and recommended deferring any rooftop commitment until the design is finalized, because the roof may be needed for future heating and cooling equipment.
Committee members pressed on timeline and feasibility. Several members said the lease terms are site specific and that panels contracted for this roof could not simply be moved to another town building. Ms. Butler moved to rescind the committee’s prior approval and Ms. Richards seconded; the motion to rescind passed 10-2-0. Chairman Joe Lalley explained that a "yes" on the rescission withdraws the committee’s prior approval; as a result the committee is recommending that Town Meeting not approve Article 31.
The committee separately advanced Article 33, a carport solar project, after members concluded carport-mounted systems present fewer design conflicts with the DPW building renovation.
Next steps: Article 31 will be presented to Town Meeting with a committee recommendation of "not approved," while project staff continue schematic design work and evaluation of rooftop feasibility.
