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Board hears architect's recommendation to remove rooftop solar, reviews gym floor and field-lighting costs
Summary
The Berkeley Heights Board received informational reports on rooftop solar, gym floor repairs and field lighting. Architects recommended removing district rooftop solar systems; gym floor work would require about $747,000 from the maintenance reserve and proposed field lighting could cost $1.6 million, which administration warned could jeopardize a referendum.
The Berkeley Heights Board of Education returned to public session and heard multiple facilities updates from the finance and facilities committee. An architect recommended removing the district's rooftop solar systems and having the Union County Improvement Authority (or similar authority) remove and restore roofs at the authority's cost rather than continuing the existing power purchase arrangement.
"The architects recommending just remove it," the finance and facilities chair (Doctor Forager) said, summarizing the recommendation and noting the district must decide by June 30 how to proceed. Board members pressed administration to produce the actual signed contract language to confirm whether the contractor or authority is contractually obligated to remove the systems and return roofs to their prior condition.
Committee reports also included bid estimates for gym-floor work. The chair said costs for the red gym would be roughly $234,000 less any insurance reimbursement, and that the district would need about $747,000 from the maintenance reserve to cover gym-floor repairs across buildings. Administration flagged those items as on the night's agenda for formal consideration.
Field lighting at Governor Livingston was estimated at about $1,600,000. Committee members cautioned that placing that item in a referendum could risk voter defeat because of the size of the request.
Other facilities updates included ongoing generator work scheduled for June 24 and replacement of aging vehicles; the business office provided a preliminary base price figure (about $100,009.65) but warned the final total would be higher. Board members asked for confirmation from the finance committee that the proposed vehicle purchases and other facilities expenditures are within the approved budgets before formal approval.
The board recorded no final binding decision on the solar installations during the meeting; members asked administration to locate and deliver the district's signed contract and any PPM documents that speak to removal obligations so the board can confirm fiscal exposure and next steps.
