09/10 Referenda - $250,000 for window replacements?
Shall the town spend $250,000 on window replacements?
There is value in this, but it shouldn't be framed as "energy improvements." The payback on windows is likely in the 25 year range. If the town is going to spend money on energy improvements, windows should not be high on the list.
However, Highland School is our newest school and it is nearly 40 years old. I believe Doolittle, Norton, Chapman and CHS all date to the 1950s and need maintenance. That includes the windows, some of which certainly have mechanical problems. So for some reasons - such as addressing mechanical problems or improving air quality - this referendum makes sense. But to support this due to energy improvements is a poor use of tax dollars IMO.
Tim White
6 comments:
At least they are saying what they are doing specifically with the $250,000. The referendum that asks for $500,000 is extremely vague and we should be very cautious on how that would be used.
I would vote no unless they explain it better.
The vague wording ensures they can do anything they want with the money. They cannot be legally held to any explanation. Vote NO.
Tim, I agree with 10:54 and said the same thing about the $500K infrastructure improvements at CHS being too vague of a question.
Can you explain why it doesn't specifically ask for "locker room replacement" and I think the rest was for "Home Economics locker repair."
It's obvious to any of us who pay attention that the BOE could easily vote to use $300K of this (or more) to put in their turf field.
This question stinks! It's got to be changed!!
IF YOU WANT TO HEAR BOB BEHRER'S REPORT ON THE TURF TUNE INTO CHANNEL 16 TONIGHT AT 8:00. THE 9/17 BOARD MEETING SHOULD BE ON. HIS REPORT IS DURING THE COMMITTEE REPORTS AND YOU'LL HEAR HIM SAY HOW THE TURF IS SAFE, HOW THEY'LL LOOK TO REDIRECT CAPITAL BUDGET FUNDS IF NEED BE, OR HOW THEY'LL LOOK TO THE TOWN'S GIFT ACCOUNT FOR ADDITIONAL MONEY.
BETTER VOTE NO ON THE $500,000 CHS INFRASTRUCTURE REFERENDUM QUESTION. THEY CAN USE THAT MONEY FOR WHATEVER THEY WANT.
Tim:
Don't think you get it. If you have been to Chapman or Darcey Schools in particular, the windows there leak very badly. It it some places presents comfort issues when sitting/standing close to the windows. Yes, this is best defined as energy improvements, but your comment about air quality kind of makes you sound a little silly. Leaking windows improve indoor air quality, albeit at the expense of potential temperature and energy problems. The same shortsightedness approach towards current windows issues in these schools is why these buildings still have the windows that they do; at some point, the bullet must be bitten. Check the windows out before you vote or opine; they are really in sad shape.
Forget the windows, the air quality, the broken HVAC systems or replacing expensive electric heating - we need turf!!
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