Public hearing on town building energy upgrades to be May 2
Date: 4/26/2011
April 27, 2011By Katelyn Gendron
Assistant Managing Editor
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Residents will have the opportunity to weigh in on the $3.73 million bond proposed for the next phase of energy efficiency upgrades to town buildings at a public hearing on May 2.
The upgrades, which were recommended by Trane Commercial Systems per its energy audit of municipal buildings, call for improvements at John Ashley School, Coburn and Fausey elementary schools, West Springfield Middle School and the Senior Center. A $3.6 million bond was ordered last year for similar upgrades to Cowing School, Memorial, Mittineague, and Tatham elementary schools, as well as West Springfield High School, the library and town hall.
"This particular phase [of upgrades] would be paid for by the energy savings or in capital dollars," Mayor Edward Gibson explained. "Rather than paying the energy companies, which I don't care to do, you take those monies and transfer them over to the debt schedule. Plus, it reduces our reliance on fossil fuels."
Upgrades funded last year projected an annual energy savings of 257,868 kilowatt hours — the equivalent of powering 65 homes — and a 20-year cost savings of $3.85 million, according to Trane's energy audit.
Laurie Cassidy, director of the Council on Aging, noted the Senior Center would receive approximately $200,000 for building envelope improvements and lighting retrofit. Recent upgrades to the center's HVAC systems have significantly reduced energy consumption, she added.
John Ashley School will also receive a lighting retrofit and building envelope improvement.
Coburn Elementary is slated for new windows, the replacement of all steam traps, building envelope improvement and upgrades to its energy management system.
Fausey Elementary requires building envelope improvements as well as an enhanced energy management system.
The middle school requires new hot water pumps, a heating conversion and boiler replacement, a new booster pump and a refurbished energy management system.
The public hearing will take place May 2 at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. A separate hearing will also take place regarding the $104.8 million appropriation for costs associated with the building of the new high school.
