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Region 4 BOE authorizes design work for water systems, oil tank and HVAC studies at JWMS and VRHS
Summary
The Region 4 Board of Education unanimously approved design and evaluation contracts for school facilities: engineering evaluations of wells, design for VRHS domestic hot-water replacement and JWMS oil-tank replacement; board received reports on HVAC deficiencies and water-system vulnerabilities.
The Regional School District No. 4 Board of Education voted unanimously on Nov. 6 to authorize a set of facilities-related design and evaluation services after Facilities Director Fred Gerber reviewed the district’s 2025 Tools for Schools report and several building-specific deficiencies.
The authorized items include: engineering services to evaluate public water systems (wells) at John Winthrop Middle School and Valley Regional High School not to exceed $9,400; design services for a domestic water-heating system replacement at VRHS not to exceed $9,500; and design services for replacement of the JWMS oil tank not to exceed $10,000. The motions were approved unanimously.
Gerber told the board that VRHS currently shows several ventilation deficiencies — including needed duct cleaning, nonfunctional exhaust fans and an HVAC control system that has reached end of life — and that the district has contracted NEEC to perform the state-mandated HVAC inspection at a cost of $46,320. He said the NEEC report will inform a future full scope of work and budgeting.
On domestic hot water, Gerber said VRHS is served by two boilers from 1992; one has begun leaking and the school is operating on the remaining boiler. RZ Associates proposed $8,500 to design a new water-heating system using two oil-fired tank-type water heaters; Gerber gave an equipment cost estimate of about $110,000 (estimate). For JWMS, Gerber described a 22-year-old underground oil tank with a deteriorated concrete top allowing water infiltration; the Grounds and Buildings Maintenance Oversight Committee recommended replacement rather than repairs. RZ Associates proposed $10,000 for design of a new aboveground tank and removal of the existing in-ground tank; Gerber provided an overall project cost estimate of approximately $300,000, noting the final price will depend on site variables.
Gerber also flagged intermittent domestic-water outages at VRHS earlier in the year and a lack of monitoring systems at both schools. Precision Engineering LLC proposed $4,200 per building (total $8,400) to evaluate the domestic water systems and provide recommendations; subsequent design work was estimated at $10,000–$20,000 depending on findings.
The board approved the administration’s recommendation to move ahead with the evaluations and design services so the district can scope capital-work requests for budget planning.
