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School Committee votes to seek up to $200,000 for Bromfield School HVAC schematic after MSBA guidance
Summary
The School Committee unanimously approved a warrant article Aug. 1 asking voters to authorize up to $200,000 for schematic design work on HVAC upgrades at The Bromfield School after MSBA guidance raised potential cost estimates; members pressed staff about roof work, ADA triggers and placement of units.
The School Committee voted unanimously Aug. 1 to place a warrant article before voters asking for authorization of up to $200,000 to cover schematic-design work tied to an HVAC upgrade at The Bromfield School, following new guidance from MSBA that could raise cost estimates.
Dr. Linda Dwight told the committee in a virtual meeting that a phone call with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) the day before indicated MSBA’s per-square-foot estimate might increase the town’s expected schematic-design cost from up to $100,000 to as much as $200,000. She said MSBA plans to evaluate the roof as part of its review for heat-pump installation and to assess the roof’s readiness for solar panels. Dr. Dwight added that if the combined cost of the heat-pump project and any roof improvements exceeds 30% of the building’s valuation, that would trigger a set of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) upgrades.
Dr. Dwight asked the committee to place a warrant article at the Special Town Meeting authorizing up to $200,000 to cover the estimate; she said any money not expended would be returned to the Capital and Stabilization fund, and that no funds would be spent if HPS is not accepted into the MSBA program. Ms. Abby Besse reported the Capital and Stabilization fund balance at $2.66 million.
Committee member Brian Killeen asked whether units could be placed on the ground to avoid roof work. Ms. Besse referred to notes from NV5’s report indicating some units could be sited on the ground, which may reduce or eliminate the need for a roof study.
Members voiced frustration and concern that the change in MSBA guidance could significantly increase project costs beyond earlier expectations. Ms. Katy Covino and Ms. Amy Morton specifically asked for clarification about the 30% ADA threshold and about the expected remaining life of The Bromfield School; Dr. Dwight said she does not anticipate the HVAC project will trigger the ADA threshold and cited recent assessments concluding the building has strong structural bones and could last another roughly 40 years with proper maintenance.
A motion to approve the warrant article as presented was made by Ms. Katy Covino, seconded by Ms. Amy Morton, and passed by roll call vote 4–0 (Ms. Abby Besse, Mr. Brian Killeen, Ms. Morton and Ms. Covino voting yes; Ms. Liz Joyce absent). The meeting adjourned at 10:29 a.m. without objection.
Next steps include finalizing the warrant language and vote placement at the Special Town Meeting; Dr. Dwight said details about the final requested amount remain subject to MSBA’s cost confirmations.
