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Facilities director reports winter response, 12% energy savings and a slate of courthouse projects
Summary
Facilities Director Charles Cushing told Norfolk County Commissioners on June 3 that crews handled a challenging winter (about 62.5 inches of snow), most boilers performed reliably despite one major rebuild, and a new building management system has yielded an estimated 12% energy savings; multiple building repairs and project timelines were also outlined.
Charles Cushing, Norfolk County facilities director, told the commissioners on June 3 that his department handled “a challenging winter” that included two major storms and about 62.5 inches of snowfall countywide while maintaining operations across most buildings.
Cushing said the maintenance staff now numbers 22 with one tradesman, an office manager (temporarily working from home following surgery) and himself. “Most of the crew have been recently certified in CPR and AED training,” he added, and the department is arranging a chemical-safety refresher with its cleaning-products vendor.
The winter required substantial response; Cushing reported two days when courts were closed due to road and travel conditions but said nearly all boilers kept buildings heated. At the Registry of Deeds one boiler underwent a major rebuild while the second unit carried the facility through the season.
Cushing highlighted energy-management advances: the Building Management System at Dedham District Court is online and, he said, staff have “been able to calculate a savings of 12% energy use.” He said parking-lot repaving bid documents were issued and that the county hopes to have a contractor in place by July 1 for that work.
Site-specific work discussed included sewer-line rerouting at Quincy Court to prevent backups (the reroute is operating), removal of a mobile trailer after electrical disconnection, interior painting and courtroom repairs at several district courts, and a planned cupola restoration in Stoughton. Cushing said Brookline District Court is next for the BMS rollout and that staff are exploring a conversion from oil to natural gas at that facility.
He also described community- and program-specific support: the Blue House received a storage room for the RSVP program, staff assisted with shelving, and work crews performed painting and protective repairs at the county golf course clubhouse.
Commissioners followed with questions about automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and temporary air conditioning for an upcoming event at Quincy Court. Cushing said AEDs are installed at the registry and courts and that bids for the parking project were being returned, which will determine the paving schedule.
The facilities update concluded with the director noting several projects that will carry over into the next fiscal year, and with acknowledgements from commissioners.
