NORWICH BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS
INFORMATIONAL HEARING AND REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 1, 2006
7:00 P.M., MARION CROSS SCHOOL LIBRARY
Minutes
Present: Board members Cheney, Gray, Sachsse, Williams; Administrators Gersen, Aubin, Edson; and 38 members of the public. Recorded by R. Lohr
1. Call to order – Chair Mary Sachsse called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM.
2. Informational Hearing on Wood Chip Boiler Warning Article
Superintendent Gersen introduced the presentation about the wood chip boiler and announced that the presentation will be rebroadcast on CATV a couple of additional times prior to the November 7 vote on the issue.
Other speakers in the presentation included the following: Alan Berolzheimer, a member of the Norwich Energy Committee, which first proposed the project to switch heating systems so that a wood chip boiler would become the primary source of heat; Alan Sherman, a consultant from the Biomass Energy Resource Center, who wrote the original report on the viability of the project, who explained the concept of using wood chips as a renewable energy source; John Aubin, Assistant Superintendent of Business, who explained the financial aspect of the project; and John Hinckley, a consultant from Resource Systems Group, Inc., who reviewed a report he prepared analyzing the effects the proposed wood chip boiler would have on air quality at the Marion Cross School and the nearby environs.
Superintendent Gersen emphasized that the project viability depends upon meeting the Vermont payback standards and this would be judged after bids for the projects are received. The calculation would be affected by the cost and inflation of both oil and wood chips, and the cost of necessary pollution abatement investments. The project includes a modification of the existing oil-based heating system, which should be eligible for a 30 percent reimbursement from the state.
The key objectives of switching to the wood chip boiler system include shifting from nonrenewable energy sources to renewable sources since wood burning is carbon neutral compared to heating oil. Additionally, the installation will result in measurable budgetary savings for the school. The projected future price of oil, global warming, and global energy security were also mentioned by supporters of the project.
The projected payback is 9 -11 years depending upon specifics related to the state reimbursement process. The financial strategy is to pay for the project using the Building Maintenance Fund and the surplus fund balance from last year’s school budget.
The Air Quality Study assumed the installation of the largest burner possible and double the annual amount of wood chips projected as necessary for the system. The study results showed that there would be no impact of human health and welfare, no significant deterioration of air quality, and no odor in the outdoor environment associated with the wood chip boiler system.
Questions put forth to the speakers included concerns about EPA scientists that opposed air quality standard levels, the amount of small particulate matter that is exhausted from the system, downwash effects near the school building, the need to examine other possible thermal savings at the school, the value of higher smokestacks within the existing forestry, and topographical and meteorological characteristics of the site.
In response to questions regarding the timing of the project, Superintendent Gersen stated that April would be the earliest any bid proposals would be reviewed. He also noted that the Board incorporated enough funding in the warrant article to address air quality issues with a cyclone (air scrubber) and a higher smokestack if these are found to be an effective means of eliminating any problems. John Aubin mentioned that venders will need to be contacted to learn about the specific ramifications of constructing a taller smokestack.
At 9:12 p.m., the Informational Hearing ended and Chair Mary Sachsse called the Regular Board Meeting to order.
3. Approval of minutes
Margaret Cheney moved and Linda Gray seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 4, as submitted with amendments. The motion passed unanimously. The amendments included: in item 4, deleting the words “for teachers” in the third sentence; a change to the wording in item 5 that the comment was about a proposal for legislation for Vermont cities and towns; in item 6B there was a request to include the enrollment statistics from a memo that was attached to the Board meeting minutes that showed the 2006 and 2007 projected enrollments were 314 and the later enrollments were substantially lower; on item 7, Chair Sachsse commented that she regretted that the neighbors were not contacted “sooner.”
4. Communications and Reports
a) Report of Secretary/Chair
Chair Sachsse announced that the next regular Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 6, 7:00 p.m., at the Marion Cross School Library. The public was reminded to vote on the wood chip boiler on Tuesday, November 7. Additionally, there was a reminder about the school area 10 MPH speed limit.
b) Reports of Administrators
Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Gersen said that some interested parties have contacted his office regarding the Quality of Education Committee. This is an SAU committee that serves the Norwich, Hanover, and Dresden schools.
In response to a question about the status of switching bus fuel to B20 biodiesel fuel, John Aubin reported that the available fuel tank must first be emptied of regular diesel before it can be used for biodiesel fuel.
Principal’s Report
Principal Edson reviewed his written report, highlighting that the enrollment added one student this month (315). Regarding supervision evaluation, he noted that he’s made 75 classroom visits and completed 7 of 16 planned formal observations. He reported that NECAP testing was complete and reinforced his conviction that the timing of the tests in October was counter productive. The Safe Routes to School Committee met and has begun writing the Student Transportation Plan that is required to apply for funding for construction. He noted that the preliminary findings of the SRTS Committee indicate that 55 percent of the students live within two miles of the school.
5. PTO Report
Deb Kaplan of the PTO reported that the gift wrap sale netted $5,475, which is a record amount. On-line sales of gift wrap can be made at www.innesbrook.com within the Marion Cross/Norwich subheading and on-line sales will be reported quarterly. The Haven food collection, which is the sixth grade community service project, was cited. The Halloween candy was distributed to 114 households. The PTO will review the grant proposals and announce awards at the next board meeting. The next PTO meeting is scheduled for November 6 at 3:15 PM in the Art Room.
6. Business Requiring Action
The Board recognized the data sheet and salary for Deborah Carter, a third grade teacher who was elected at the last Board meeting.
7. Adjournment
Linda Gray moved and Stan Williams seconded a motion to adjourn at 9:27 PM.
The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:27 PM.
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