Bourne voters OK hiring firm to upgrade town buildings to be more energy efficient
BOURNE — A financing arrangement to underwrite $5 million in energy upgrades and systems improvements at all Bourne schools and municipal buildings has the go-ahead.
Voters supported the project, 85-19, at Monday’s special Town Meeting at Bourne High School.
The project involves tax-exempt financing over 15 years and a two-decade energy revamping.
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The fiscal request, even though it is less than routinely representational of local spending, was listed on the warrant with “indispensable warrant articles critical to Bourne’s corporate functioning.”
Finance Committee member Rich Lavoie said the deal represents a “new type of financing and new to Bourne, but it doesn’t lower the town’s bond rating or (adversely) affect other borrowing for needed building work.”
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Voter authorization of Phase 1 of the project assures a tax-exempt lease with Bank of America and energy services contract with Trane Technologies Co. LLC of Wilmington. Phase I will not include a new Town Hall boiler, library chiller or Bourne Middle School roof. It will cover D-Wing roof fixes at Bourne High School.
Trane will supply contractors to provide equipment, systems and services for work at town buildings and schools. When the job is done, Trane bills the town. Town Administrator Marlene McCollem and the Building Department will scrutinize the vouchers and work performed and then approve them. School Superintendent Kerri Anne Quinlan-Zhou and her staff will review school district work. Then Bank of America issues payment.
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There are annual debt payments of nearly $400,000, but the Trane Technologies project will not swell the town’s current five-year capital outlay schedule or annual debt-service picture.
Andrew Cooney, of Monument Beach, questioned the handling and disposition of hazardous materials.
McCollem said such work would receive a Building Department permit and the materials would be deemed complete with final disposal locations.
“I think we’re missing out on a level of quality control with this company, Trane,” Cooney said. “And I think we need some independent quality control.”
Windmill repair OK'd; sign regulation nixed
Bourne High School was filled Monday night, but most townspeople were in the gym during volleyball festivities. It took 30 minutes, until 7:30 p.m., to achieve the 125-voter quorum and start the special Town Meeting.
Voters routinely approved other spending requests in the 15-article warrant, but they rejected a Design Review Board zoning amendment to crack down on so-called "feather signs" and those also that move in “rhythmic flailing motion.” Voters said there was no need to adversely affect businesses given the economic climate.
Voters added $458,784 to the fiscal 2023 town budget, $32,500 to the sewer budget, $872,538 to reduce the town’s other post-employment benefits (OPEB) liability and $150,000 for employees’ accrued contractual compensated absences.
Voters also approved:
• $215,000 in capital spending that includes $50,000 for Sagamore Beach access ramp improvements
• $40,000 for a conservation/engineering department pickup
• $30,000 for stormwater improvements
• $45,000 for a police undercover vehicle
• $50,000 for Queen Sewell Park lighting
Voters OK'd:
• $225,000 to help fund development of a state-of-the-art pilot leachate removal operation at the town landfill off Route 28
• $50,000 for a landfill container truck
• $306,304 placed in the capital stabilization fund, which is tapped to help pay debt service on capital undertakings
• $33,500 in Community Preservation Act funds for a housing/planning consultant ($13,500) and Joe Jefferson Windmill restoration at Aptucxet ($20,000).
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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Bourne town buildings to get energy efficiency updates
