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Reading Energy Board reviews MERP-funded upgrades to town buildings
Summary
The board reported progress on MERP-funded projects at the library, Robinson Hall and the Food Shelf, discussed contractor coordination for the firehouse, and confirmed next steps including bids and a condenser rebid for heat pumps.
The Reading Energy Board on Oct. 14 reviewed progress on several town-building projects funded through the Municipal Energy Resilience Program (MERP) and discussed next steps to move multiple projects to bid. Committee member Brian Cali said consultants working on the firehouse were acquired by a British firm and that he has attempted to re-establish a reliable point of contact; he told the committee he would escalate the matter to the consultant’s management and follow up by Thursday.
Cali said the library’s structural engineer has signed off on the floor system and that the work will not affect the roof, but logistics to get large sheets of plywood and TGI joists into the attic remain a challenge because they cannot be carried up the stairs. The committee discussed staging the materials at a large side window and using a cherry picker to lift components; Tony (named in the discussion) signed off on the loss of attic headroom, and John Vanzant will prepare drawings to secure fire-safety sign-off before the project goes out to bid. Cali said he will also consult heat-pump contractors about that portion of the project.
Bill Neukomm reported that wiring work at Robinson Hall is complete and now meets code; he purchased light fixtures for the stage and said stage lighting is now dimmable. Insulation work is scheduled to begin Monday and should take about one and a half days. Two heat-pump bids were received, from Brite Lite and ARC Mechanical, and the bids differed on condenser choice; after review with Bod Allen the committee selected a preferred condenser and requested that Brite Lite rebid using that unit. Neukomm also described planned first-floor lighting upgrades and installation of an automatic back-door opener for ADA compliance. He noted that knob-and-tube wiring on the second floor had been replaced using funds outside MERP, and that remaining knob-and-tube on the first floor will be replaced using MERP funds.
Neukomm said Brite Lite began wiring at the Food Shelf, moving wiring into a closet for a new 200-amp panel. He noted the panel upgrade is contingent on GMP signing off on a transformer upgrade; until GMP approves, the mini-split units cannot be installed. The Food Shelf is exploring funding for a generator upgrade to an automatic-start model. Attic insulation for the Food Shelf is planned at R-60.
Cali also reported that the solar array project is progressing and that he has shifted production credits to different town buildings to optimize allocations. The committee recorded two routine procedural votes: approval of the Sept. minutes (motion by Bill Neukomm, seconded by Kevin Kaija) and adjournment (motion by Brian Cali, seconded by Kevin Kaija). The board set its next meeting for Nov. 20 at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom.
