The Public Facilities Committee approved the following (see the report and watch the meeting video):
- LED lighting at the Newton Education Center (appropriation from the Energy Stabilization Fund) (5-0) to replace outdated fixtures with high-efficiency LEDs, with staff noting an estimated annual utility savings of roughly $26,000 and a simple payback under five years, net of utility incentives.
The Committee took No Action Necessary on the following:
- A networked geothermal system involving Countryside School (5-0) Committee members received an overview from Green Newton and Sustainability staff on a networked geothermal proposal that connects residents and businesses to the school building’s geothermal system. The City and Councilors had many questions about costs and whether a home rule petition or ordinance change would be necessary to move forward with the proposal. “A councilor asked what cost savings the City could see by extending this system to the neighborhood and replacing other utilities. Mr. Barrer answered that there would be minor cost savings to the City. The same councilor asked whether the Countryside geothermal system could be extended to the community at any time, or whether it would need to happen now. Mr. Barrer answered that the school will be built and operated as if there were no network to the neighborhood, but it has the potential to be upgraded to connect to the neighborhood. He noted this could happen in one, five, or ten years, but is not required. In response to another councilor’s question, Mr. Barrer clarified that additional boreholes would need to be drilled for neighbors to tap into Countryside’s network, which the neighbors would presumably pay for.”
Attendees: Councilors Danberg (Acting Chair), Getz, Kalis, Kelley, Leary, Laredo;
Absent: Councilors Albright and Gentile;
Also present: Councilor Wright; Newton Energy Commission Peter Barrer; Staff: Chief Operating Officer Yeo, Public Buildings Commissioner Morse, Sustainability Co-Directors Berwick and Nighman, and Climate Action Coordinator Weiss.
