Board signs water-treatment contract for middle school and approves new PA system, energy audit and technology purchases

The Amity Regional School District 05 board approved multiple facilities and technology contracts in a meeting that also included discussion of state grant funding and contingency installation costs.

Water-treatment system: Facilities staff described a recurring corrosion and glycol-clogging problem in the Amity Middle School (Orange) HVAC glycol loop. The board voted to award a $60,414 contract to New England Sales Group LLC to provide a proprietary water-treatment system intended to allow the district to drain glycol, refill the loop with water, and reduce corrosion. Staff said the work to install the equipment may be completed by the district's mechanical service provider at an estimated additional cost of about $20,000; that additional amount would not require board approval if under the contract threshold. The project is expected to be covered largely by a state capital "drip funding" grant for school districts (staff said the district's allocation is about $102,000 total, promised by June 30). The motion passed on roll call.

Public-address system: The board also approved awarding a contract to Eastern Dataccom to upgrade the high school public-address and safety-notification system, with a quoted cost of $190,186. Staff said the award was recommended by facilities and finance committees and that the project would be eligible for a security grant reimbursement at the stated rate.

Energy performance contract process: Trustees authorized Eneria — a consultant selected via Connecticut Conference of Municipalities consortium procurement — to develop an RFP and solicit energy service companies for an energy performance contract process. Staff emphasized this stage requires no commitment to a specific energy-savings measure and carries limited exposure if the district withdraws (estimated out-of-pocket exposure to Eneria of up to $20,000 for RFP development costs if the district backs out). If the program proceeds, the vendor would structure lease-purchase agreements tied to verified energy savings.

Technology purchases: The board approved purchasing 22 dedicated technology-education devices for the two middle schools (11 per school) to create specialty teched labs, and separately approved a four-year lease-purchase agreement with Insight Financial Services for 420 student one-to-one devices (annual payment amount recorded in the packet). Staff said ordering promptly protects pricing and delivery windows; they will not retire senior devices until replacements are secured to avoid shortages.

Votes and oversight: Each motion passed by roll call. Facilities staff said they will report back on final installation costs, grant receipts, and any required follow-up procurement.