HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-03-SBC-min (MEP and Sustainability Focus Group) MEETING NOTES
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Meeting Date: April 3, 2024
Project Name: Lexington High School
Project Number:
Subject: MEP and Sustainability Focus Group Meeting
Attendees:
Present Name Affiliation Present Name Affiliation f
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J Cynthia Arens(CA) Sustainable Lexington Committee J David Pinnsonnault Director of Public Works
Chair DP
( )
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Susan Barrett(SB) Town Transportation Manager J Todd Rhodes(TR) Sustainable Lexington Vice
Cha i r
Chris Bouchard(CB) Project EngineerJ Mark Sandeen(MS) Select Board
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J Phil Coleman(PC) Permanent Building Committee Sophie Shaw(SS) Student
J Julie Hackett UH) Superintendent of Schools J Nancy Sofen(NS) Tree Committee
Wendy Heiger Bernays Board of Health Bernardo Streithorst Student
WH
( )
BS
( )
J Jon Himmel QH2) Permanent Building Committee Jillian Tung OT) Board of Health
Chair
Lin Jensen(LJ) Support/Resident J Dan Voss(DV) Sustainable Lexington
Committee
Vincent Lerow(VL) AV Technician J Dave Wininger(DW) Digital Learning Coach
J Erica Downs(ED) J Brian Black SMMA
J Tina McBride(TB) Support/Resident Lorraine Finnegan SMMA Project Manager
LF
Asa Mele(AM) Student J Matt Rice(MR) SMMA Project Architect
Shawn Newell(SN) Assistant Director of Facilities Martine Dion(MD) SMMA Director of Sustainability
J Glenn Parker(GP) Appropriation Committee Chair Andy Oldeman(AO) SMMA Director of Engineering
J Maggie Peard(MP) Town of Sustainability and J Anthony Jimenez(AJ) SMMA Electncal Engineer
Resilience Officer
J Brian Black(BB) SMMA Design Architect J Rebecca Rahmlow SMMA Project Manager for
(RR) Sustainability
J Chris Shaffner(CS) The Green Engineer J Vamshi Gooje(VG) SMMA Principal in Charge for
Sustainability
J Lisa Whelen(LW) J Mike Burton(MB) Dore+Whittier
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Michael Dowhan
J Christina Dell Angelo Dore+Whittier
(MD2)
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(CD)�
J Mark Barrett(MB) Rachel Rincon(RR2) Dore+Whittier
J ( Sophie Shaw(SS)
J acob Greco�G) Dore+Whittier
J
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Kathleen Lenihan(KL) SBC Chair
Anoush Krafian(AK) SMMA-Assistant Project
Manager
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Mike Cronin(MC) Brenda Lam(BL)
Andy Oldeman(AO)
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Chase ....................... ............
�Agenda Description
Item
1. Introduction: Refer to attendees list.
2. 1 Please refer to attached presentation for meeting materials as below is a summation of the
presentation with Focus Group & Public member's comments.
Meeting Overview
Review Proposed PDP Recommendations from Focus Group to the SBC
'Climate Preparedness/Adaptability
• MEPS 2/3/4:Thinking about the future and creating a cutting-edge building, Lexington could
have a 75-year life cycle analyses - Given & Needs More Discussion
• MEPS 5:The high school will be identified as a level 2 for the Gym/Field house whereas the
rest of the school will be a level 3 - Given
• MEPS 7: Emerging technology will be considered along with the militance and potential life
cycle of those systems - Needs More Discussion (NMD)
o MS:The building should be modeled based on what the climate could be in 50 years
Sustainable Sites
• MEPS 7- 15: Using the environment to promote student health and a positive environment
through native plants, use of trees for cooling, and outdoor spaces - Given
• MEPS 16: Sustainable Sites criteria will be used through LEED v4 and the Lexington IDP - Given
• MEPS 17/18/19: Important to build green spaces for students to be involved with nature, easy
access to outdoors and away from roads - Given
• DW: Landscaping was originally done by a teacher and volunteers.The long-term landscaping
needs to be monitored as LHS is currently overrun by invasive species.
o The extension of WIFI past the school building for use of technology outdoors
o Mulching, although not natural, could be helpful for preventing weeds and invasive
species
o CB: Emphasis that whatever is installed for landscaping must be easy to maintain
• NS: Noted that the canopy of trees should be pruned roughly around every 5 years
• MP: If battery powered tools are used there should be adequate places to charge them on site
Net Zero Energy/Renewable
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• MEPS 20/21: Building orientation to maximize lighting and solar will be optimized but the
current site will provide some limitations - Given
• MEPS 22/23: Massing of buildings should be utilized for multifunctional, spaces that are not in
use can be combined to reduce energy usage - NIVID
• MEPS 24/25: Lexington is eager to push the sustainability envelop to create a high-
performance building.The new stretch code will require highly insulated and airtight enclosure
systems at Net Zero Energy- Given
• MEPS 26- 32:The Life Cycle Costs Assessment will be conducted at PSR (high level), Schematic
Design, and updated at the DID and CID. - 50 year is Given, 75-year NIVID
• MEPS 33: Lessons learned from recently built schools will be considered by the design team -
Given
• MEPS 34: Communications and collaborations with utilities have already been started by the
Design team - Given
o CS:Asked for SMMA to include the current electricity rates in their Net Zero Energy
"Snapshot" projections
o DW:The current software for the HVAC system is very old and may not be compatible
will future BMS or HVAC systems
o CA:Asked for SMMA to share the life cycle model ahead of time, what they are
planning on inputting and the parameters around it
• MEPS 35-49:The future LHS should be solar-ready and capable.This includes the proper
infrastructure, batteries, and locations for solar.This will require a large amount of up-front
planning and will follow the MA Stretch Code - Given
o CS: Lexington is already taken advantage of energy storage incentives at the Hastings I
Elementary School
o DV: How are we anticipating the load of electric vehicles/buses that will be on the
school site.A large portion of the bus fleet will be electric within the next 7 years and
there is the possibility for a large increase in citizen EV use.
• Lexington by-laws require 4% off-street parking to have EV chargers.
• The charging of EV will require its own service/transformers, this will need
more discussion.
• The Ev program can be kept out of the Net Zero Energy Equation, this will make
it simpler
o MS: What is the plan for engaging with distributed energy groups, Make Ready group,
and Eversource.They should also be made aware of the possible heating/cooling
requirements in the next 50 years, notjust today
• SMMA will be persistent and stay on top of reaching out and planning with
these companies as early as possible
o JH2:The first page of the IDP should be referenced throughout the planning of the
project design, cost, and life cycle.Although Lexington wants LEED gold and Platinum it
may not be affordable.The community should be aware of the costs associated with all
the desires
• MEPS 50/51:The future LHS should strive for Net Positive, but this will require more than 3.3
MW of Solar PV- NIVID
o CS:The project should be looked at for maximizing solarjust for the goal of using solar
and energy storage not necessarilyjust for reaching net zero.
Sustainable Transportation and Electrification of Transportation
• MEPS 52/53: Batteries and EV charging stations will meet Lexington bylaws for zoning of
installation and readiness. EV charging for students - Given
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o DW:The city/school should not pay for private EVs to be charged on campus but would
be good for school vans or transport vehicles
o TR:The lack of parking on campus is already tight, charging EV busses on may cause
problems
• MEPS 54- 59: Specialized Stretch Code will require battery storage readiness with permanent
batteries. Electric transportation batteries may be considered for additional resiliency- NMID
• MEPS 60-65: LEEDv4 criteria will support bike access and storage, as well as preferred parking
for electric vehicles/carpooling - Given but NMID for Electric Bike Charging
MEP Systems
• MEPS 66: Separate metering for water system and electrical system - Given
• MEPS 67: Where central systems are provided, consideration will be given to future expansion
needs
• MEPS 68:The proposed water metering system could be used to create an alarm to the BMS
where atypical use is measured and could close an isolation valve - Given
• MEPS 69: In relation to MEPS 68 it is good practice to monitor makeup water in closed systems
and in open systems a leak should trigger a makeup valve closure to mitigate loss - Given
• MEPS 70-77: Integration of all systems into one specific area,the design team will coordinate
with utilities as to where they want their central system "hub".The initial and maintained costs
will be kept in mind during the design process - Given
• MEPS 78: 24/7 HVAC and humidity control can be provided for specialized rooms when it is
needed but this project is not planned on having a system that is running 24/7 - NMID for the
special use cases
• MEPS 79: It is expected that the BMS will integrate with lighting controls, plumbing, and all
other required electrical systems
• DW: Regarding the 24/7 use is the emergency shelter factor considered?
o The HVAC and plumbing systems will be planned with the emergency shelter
requirements
• CB: Wanted to confirm that Utility Grade Meters will be installed on this project
• DW:Asked about the possible use of rainwater or general water capture/reuse systems.
Geothermal
• MEPS 80:There are sizeable upfront costs with geothermal but has a very positive life cycle -
Given
• MEPS 81:The estimates show there will be somewhere around 500, 500ft wells using 5 acres
or 800ft wells bringing the size down to 3 acres - NMID
• MEPS 82:The ability to get exemptions for deeper wells will be better known after the test well
in June - NMID
• TR: Will the space needed for wells affect the fields/landscaping?
o The Landscape & Civil teams will coordinate with the Mechanical as there a lot of
challenges using this method
o MC:The playing and athletic fields can be placed above the well fields as the
equipment can be below-grade
• MS: Is the plan to conduct an 800ft bore hole?
o Yes this is correct
• JH2:Are geothermal wells compatible with Article 97?
HVAC Systems & Loads
• MEPS 83:The system selection discussion will focus on the type of system that best suits the
intended use of the building - Given
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• MEPS 84: Provide a system that will last the lifetime of the building is the goal, some parts will
need replacement but not the core systems- Given
• MEPS 85: Lessons have been learned in the past and the plan will be to not use a two-pipe
system as it does not allow for flexibility in the swing seasons - Given
• MEPS 86: Each zone will be able to provide both heating and cooling but not both at any one
time - Given
• MEPS 87:There will be supplemental backup for HVAC systems in selected spaces, such as IT
and electric rooms via spit systems.The consideration of general pack up for spaces used for
emergency shelter will be considered - NIVID
• MEPS 88:The current incentives projections for heating/cooling are derived from installed
Tons - Given
• MEPS 89:The current system used in the existing school for heating and cooling is inconsistent
and inefficient- Given
• MEPS 90: Consider future expansion when location areas for the geothermal bore holes/wells
Given
• MEPS 91:The theater spaces may require larger amounts of electricity than commonly found;
however the programming will decide this - NIVID
• MEPS 92:Air source heat pumps are likely system to evaluate in the selection process- Given
• MEPS 93: Ensure the viability of heat pumps in 5-years-time - Given
• MEPS 94:ASHP's hold higher refrigerants volume vs. GSHP's, being mindful of climate impact
and maintenance following future regulations - NIVID
• MEPS 95: Heat pump maintenance on cold days, the pumps cycle off for up to 5 minutes
when the temp is between 20-40'F because the system must defrost the outdoor heat pump
condenser unit.This normally does not affect FCUs but when supporting an AHU or DOAS a
backup electric coil will be required - NIVID
• MEPS 96: High efficiency MEP systems will be included as part of the design - Given
• MS:The main concern is to know what the heat load is currently to be able to better plan for
the future, a ROM will be helpful
o With the correct materials and construction heat loads for basic 900sf can be very
small
Sustainable Materials and Healthfulness [IEQ/IAQ]
• MEPS 97- 100:There will be no use of red-list materials as required by LEEDv4, the MSBA's
Green Policy, and the IDP for Low Toxicity- Given
• MEPS 101 - 104: Noted that this goal is part of the IDP tracking sheet,ventilation is mostly
where there is a tradeoff for slightly higher energy consumption - NIVID
• MEPS 105:
• MEPS 106:The project will consider the option of a 600-ppm threshold for the CO2 sensors -
NIVID
o CS: asked why this is yellow or NMID?
CO2• sensors are a given, but the goal of 600 ppm Is what needs more
discussion
• MEPS 107:
• MEPS 108:
• MEPS 109/110: Reusables outside of cafeterias and lounges as well as reuseable dishware in
the caf6 will be integrated into the project- Given
Environmental Literacy
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0 ME PS 111 - 116:The project design wi I I engage with students throughout the design phases.A
comprehensive Green Educational Program will be developed, including environmental
signage, building tour and booklet, and case study.The project will address opportunities to
give students access to day-to-day energy use data - Given
0 Embodied carbon is the carbon that is captured in materials throughout their whole lifecycle
TR: Is the plan to have embodied carbon options this summer?
Yes, during the PSR phase
MP:The current building is heavily filled with embodied carbon. It is good to note this for
future materials used but the removal/demo of the old site needs to be considered. Even if a
new building is constructed it could be better to leave the old foundation in place
General - Sustainability/MEP Planning
MEPS 117/118: Focus Group Meetings will continue at upcoming design phases - Given
MEPS 119- 121:The sustainability study outcomes are to be shared with the noted
stakeholders in a transparent manner to promote collaboration, Sustainable Lexington would
MEPS 122:Task consultants to explore beyond business-as-usual solutions to be presented to
the SBC and PBC - NIVID
General Questions
JH2: It is interesting to view MSBA historical prices, which High Schools have gone to LEED
silver. When conducting cost estimates based on prior school projects it is important to note if
those schools achieved LEED silver.Are the costs to get LEED silver the same as they were
when those projects were conducted?
LEEDv4 has been ongoing for the last 10 years
There are examples of schools achieving LEEDv4 Gold on budget
LEEDv4.1 has some leniency on credits compared to v4
CS: Due to the MSBA requirements all historical school cost data would be at least
LEEDv4 Silver(v4 2014 and on)
3. Close
Sincerely,
W�i IUI I U �Z
Jacob Greco
Assistant Project Manager
Cc:Attendees, File
The above is my summation of our meeting. If you have any additions and/or corrections, please contact me
for incorporation into these minutes.
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