School Committee Eyes Energy Savings, Revisits Residency Rule

Orlando Pacheco with Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini after Pacheco's 2014 hiring as city purchasing agent.

Orlando Pacheco with Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini after Pacheco’s 2014 hiring as city purchasing agent.

The Haverhill School Committee will discuss, among other things, a proposed new energy services contract (ESCO) for the school district, and revisit a proposed residency enforcement policy.

On Thursday night’s agenda, the committee will consider a $2.5 million contract with Ameresco Inc., Framingham, for “procurement for the development and implementation of 11 energy conservation measures in 10 educational facilities.” The costs, not to exceed $2.5 million, would be financed through a “bond authorization associated with the energy services contract,” over a little more than nine years minimum, to a maximum 15 years, according to documents including a memorandum of understanding to be approved by the committee.

“Based on the engineering calculations provided by Ameresco, the contract will save $270,259 annually and provide a positive cash flow of $38,664 for the school department,” said city Energy Manager and Purchasing Agent Orlando Pacheco. “The positive cash flow will be invested in roof upgrades at the Consentino Middle School and Haverhill High School pool facility. The roof work has no energy related component to it.” The roof repairs requested by the school department would cost a total $800,000, according to Pacheco.

“The ESCO has a projected payback period of 9.16 years, making it a very effective investment for the school facilities,” Pacheco said.

Wood Seeks Enforcement of Student Residency

Also, committee President Scott W. Wood Jr. is expected to present the full committee a proposed residency enforcement policy against alleged out of state student enrollment in city school services, including special education, through Haverhill addresses and post office boxes. Last week, Wood told WHAV a formal proposal would come from the committee’s policy subcommittee, on which he serves as chairman.

Another agenda item requests a disposition of five city-owned buses and minivans formerly used by the department and stored for as long as two years. The vehicles, in various states of disrepair, are worth between $200 scrap value and up to a “potentially $2,500” resale value.

The Haverhill school committee meets at 7 p.m., Thursday, in city council chambers at Haverhill City Hall.

One thought on “School Committee Eyes Energy Savings, Revisits Residency Rule

  1. “On Thursday night’s agenda, the committee will consider a $2.5 million contract with Ameresco Inc.,” –

    Can we just do away with the formalities and give this the rubber stamp seal of approval? Ameresco has been generous with their cash, just over $26K to Beacon Hill pols. While not an elite “pay-to-play” player, unlike like The Fish Family who own Haverhill, the monies should be good with a caveat of more bribes, I mean campaign donations in the future.