HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-10 Joint SB, AC and CEC-min
Joint Meeting of the Select Board, Appropriation Committee and
Capital Expenditures Committee
April 10, 2024
A Joint Meeting of the Select Board, Appropriation Committee and Capital Expenditures Committee was
called to order at 6:35pm on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, via a hybrid meeting platform. Mr. Pato, Chair;
Ms. Barry, Mr. Lucente, Mr. Sandeen, and Ms. Hai were present, as well as Mr. Malloy, Town Manager;
Ms. Katzenback, Executive Clerk; and Ms. Axtell, Deputy Town Manager.
Present for the Select Board (SB): Mr. Pato, Chair; Ms. Barry, Vice Chair; Mr. Lucente; Ms. Hai; and Mr.
Sandeen
Present for the Capital Expenditures Committee (CEC): Mr. Lamb, Chair; Mr. Cole; Mr. Kanter, Vice
Chair; and Ms. Rhodes
Present for the Appropriation Committee (AC): Mr. Parker, Chair; Mr. Padaki; Vice Chair; Mr. Levine;
Mr. Michelson; Mr. Bartenstein; Ms. Yan; Mr. Ahuja; and Mr. Osborne (6:40pm arrival)
1. Discuss Police Station Project Budget for Solar Canopy/Batteries
Mike Cronin, Director of Public Facilities, explained that, at the last Select Board meeting, the Board
requested an updated financial analysis which provides information on debt service costs, solar
incentives, and timeframes for return on investment. The financial analysis uses two variables for
consideration:
520KWH vs. 1040KWH batteries
10 Year vs. 20 Year Debt Service
From this analysis, the highest return on investment is choosing the 1040KWH battery system with ten-
year debt issuance. Under this scenario, the annual net cost is 11 years, and the cumulative net cost is 13
years, with a total net gain of just under $6.5M. A more attractive scenario may be the 1040KWH battery
system with a 20-Year debt issuance, where the total net gain is less at $5.9M but because the debt service
payments are less, the annual net cost is two years, and the cumulative net cost is three years. Over 20
years, this scenario would cost just under $2.4M vs. $2.65M for the ten-year scenario. As stated above,
over 30 years the comparable savings is $5.9M vs. $6.5M.
In the 10-year scenario, the Town would save an additional $600,000 over the 30-year planning period
and, under the 20-year scenario the Town would have higher revenues than expenditures starting in the
second or third year. Staff has submitted a request for congressionally directed funding from Senators
Warren and Markey and Congresswoman Clark. Without outside funding, the Select Board would either
need to choose an option that places all or part of the project on hold until the Fall Town Meeting. Staff
believes that the steel framing could be completed at this time with the current budget and that some/all of
the solar could be installed under the current budget, but there is not sufficient funding to complete the
full installation with batteries. The benefit of moving forward now is that it allows the project area,
including Fletcher Park, to be returned to its original condition, with later funding allowing solar to be
installed during the winter months. This would require funding at the Fall Town Meeting.
Another option for the Select Board to consider would be to call a Special Town Meeting at the end of
this Annual Town Meeting. If this was called on April 10, 2024, it could fall within the current Town
Meeting. There will be costs associated with this option.
There was discussion regarding if the site will be temporarily cleaned up if the steel portion of the project
th
does not move forward in order to have Fletcher Field ready for the 250 celebration. It was noted that if
the steel goes up without the solar, the Town should also consider the High School project that is coming
down the pipeline.
The groups agreed to consider the information presented and come back at a future meeting for further
discussion and a potential vote.
DOCUMENTS: Presentation, Financial Analysis
ADJOURN
VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board, Appropriation Committee and Capital
Expenditures Committee voted by roll call to adjourn the Joint Meeting at 7:18 p.m.
A true record; Attest:
Kristan Patenaude
Recording Secretary