The Public Facilities Committee approved the following (see the report and watch the meeting video):
- Newton North High School Capital Projects ($700,000) from certified free cash for several high-priority projects, including replacing the air handling unit for the pool and a failing portion of the domestic hot water system. Detailed evaluations suggested roof installation of the new air handling unit despite higher costs due to long-term benefits. Councilors asked why the hot water system was being funded out of free cash and not the CIP. Public Buildings Commissioner Morse said the costs were higher than the Newton Public Schools had intended to pay and that the hot water system was low on the CIP list because its anticipated life was 1 to 5 years longer. Councilors asked if the hot water system could be replaced by a ‘greener’ system. The Commissioner replied that installing a heat pump reversible chiller on the roof would require major structural work. (6-0, Councilors Kelley and Leary not voting)
- Municipal Building Maintenance Projects ($775,000) from certified free cash to cover multiple projects, including repairs at Albemarle Field House, Crystal Lake Bathhouse (painting the exterior, gutter and roof work), Jackson Homestead (painting), the Main Library and Fire Station 1 and 2. These projects aim for completion within six months. (5-0, Councilors Kelley, Laredo, and Leary not voting)
- Fire and Police Security Enhancements ($225,000) from certified free cash for enhancements include upgrading security cameras and access controls at Fire and Police Department locations. Details on updates at police headquarters were withheld for security reasons. (5-0, Councilors Kelley, Laredo, and Leary not voting)
The Public Facilities Committee voted No Action Necessary on the following:
- Pausing Work on Solar Panels at Brown and Oak Hill Schools: Despite plans for campus revitalization, the committee agreed to continue installing solar carports, which are under a 20-year power purchase agreement. Councilor Farrell expressed surprise that no major middle school construction projects are planned for the next few decades, until after the solar agreement has ended. Commissioner Morse explained that Newton has more schools per capita than peer communities, making it expensive to maintain them all. (6-0, Councilors Laredo, and Leary not voting)
The Public Facilities Committee voted to hold the following:
- Dam Flooding at Wells Avenue: A beaver dam on a culvert at Wells Avenue created the flooding. Due to the drought, the beavers have moved away. The Department of Public Works plans to remove the vacated dam, install a trash grate on the culvert, and raise the sewer manhole. The DPW has submitted the necessary paperwork to the Conservation Commission. (7-0-1, Councilor Leary abstained)
- Update on the Bullough’s Pond Dam Rehabilitation: The “dam has been deemed a significant hazard by the Massachusetts’ Office of Dam Safety, and the City has been ordered to fix the issues with the dam.” Ongoing discussions on rehabilitation options for the dam deemed a significant hazard. The city reviewed three options and preferred a downstream slope erosion protection plan that included the removal of 199 trees, grading the slope, and placing concrete blocks that will be covered with seeded topsoil. The state does not allow woody vegetation on a dam or within 20 feet of a dam. The project will include planting trees in the surrounding area and paying into the Tree Fund. Dredging the pond would not prevent future overtopping events. “Kathleen Greiser of the Bullough’s Pond Association asked if a cost analysis had been done on incorporating a piano key or labyrinth weir and Mr. Nickerson answered that while they had not done a cost analysis, they had considered it as an option. The same person asked if any neighborhood outreach had taken place, and Commissioner McGonagle responded that it had not. Mr. Nickerson also pointed out that the preferred option would stop erosion earlier in the process than the other two proposed options.” (7-0, Councilor Danberg not voting)
Present: Councilors Albright (Chair), Getz, Kelley, Kalis, Gentile, Leary, Laredo, and Danberg
Also Present: Councilors Farrell and Lucas
City Staff: Commissioner of Public Works Jim McGonagle, City Engineer Lou Taverna, Commissioner
of Public Building Josh Morse, Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Yeo, and Co-Director of Sustainability
Bill Ferguson
Others Present: GEI Engineering Consultant Jim Nickerson