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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-01-12 School Committee MinutesV Reading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetti~ E C E I V E O 1pw CLERK Regular Meeting of the Scho6,lV6~r~ii~tee r~SS Open Session 2 IZo 00 Date: January 12, 2009 Time: 8:15 p.m. (Open Session) Place: Superintendent's Conference Room School Committee Members Present Lisa Gibbs David Michaud Karen Janowski Chris Caruso Chuck Robinson Elaine Webb Staff Members Present Patrick A. Schettini, Jr.-Superintendent of Schools John Doherty, Assistant Superintendent Mary DeLai, Director of Human Resource and Finances Jesse Downing, Student Representative Visitors: Melissa Russell, Reading Chronicle Steve Vittorosio, Reading Advocate Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Town Finance Director Joe Huggins, Director of Facilities Rick Schubert, Selectman Andrew Grimes, Finance Committee Barry Berman, Finance Committee 1. Call to Order Jay Tanguay, Finance Committee Hal Torman, Finance Committee Marsie West, Finance Committee Tom White, Finance Committee Matt Wilson, Finance Committee Gary DeRusha, Budget Parent Beth Greenblatt, ESCO Consultant Ellen Doucette, Town Counsel Chairperson Robinson called the meeting to order at 8:20 p.m. He welcomed the guests that attended the meeting. He also reviewed the agenda. Mr. Grimes called the Finance Committee to order. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input (I) B. Reports I 1. Student 2. Liaison 3. Superintendent's Report 4. Sub-Committee C. Continued Business 1. Performance Contracting Presentation ,s Mr. Robinson turned the meeting over to Ms. Mary DeLai who introduced Ms. Beth Greenblatt, Consultant for the Town of Reading. She outlined Ms. Greenblatt's qualifications which include 25 years of business, marketing and January 12, 2009 management experience primarily in the energy services industry. A partial resume is listed below: Beacon Integrated Solutions Managing Director Present BSG Strategy Group Principal Present NORESCO Director of Corporate Communication 2000-2002 American Management Director of Marketing and Public Relations 1999-2000 Services ServicEdge Partners, Inc. V.P. of Marketing and Sales 1997-1999 (KeySpan) Gas Research Institute N. E. Regional Account Manager 1995-1997 Boston Gas Company Director of Energy Management; Director of 1988-1995 Customer Research & Market Planning Ms. Greenblatt's role was as the consultant to the Evaluation Committee comprised of Mary DeLai, Joe Huggins, Bob LeLacheur, Ted McIntyre and Elaine Webb. The Evaluation team members provided the scoring which resulted in the ranking of the ESCOs. Ms. Greenblatt discussed the objectives of this meeting. She reviewed the schedule and the goals of the project. Ms. Greenblatt indicated that the Evaluation Committee was quite pleased with the quantity and quality of the respondents. There was a good mix of companies with different strengths to evaluate. She felt the Evaluation Committee was thoughtful and methodical in the review of the submittals. The top rated ESCO based on the evaluation process was NORESCO. The next step is to execute an Investment Grade Audit contract with the top rated firm, NORESCO. Once the contract is executed the selected company will do a thorough building and system audit. Ms. DeLai added that it is to our benefit to get as much info from this audit. The Town of Reading building managers (principals, department heads, etc.) will be instrumental in working with the ESCO to determine our needs. Once the audit is completed the Town will define the size and scope of the project during the Discovery phase. Methods of financing will also be discussed during this phase. This is a budget neutral project. After the Investment Grade Audit is completed the next step is for an Energy Services Agreement to be executed defining the requirements of the project. Design and construction will begin during the Implementation Phase. During the construction phase of the project the ESCO will have an on-site project manger for all aspects of the project. It was reiterated that the Performance Contracting ESCO guarantees units of energy savedand if the Town does not see this saving the ESCO reimburses the difference. In response to questions, Ms. DeLai and Ms. Greenblatt reinforced the fact that the Town will determine the size and scope of this project. It is important that all parties are comfortable with the direction that is chosen. Mr. Schubert asked Ms. Greenblatt about a possible conflict of interest having worked for the top ESCO respondent, NORESCO, in the past. She outlined her background. Her company does not work for any ESCO and she has no financial interest in the resulting contract. Her role as the consultant to the Town of Reading was to direct and guide the January 12, 2009 process and she possessed no role in the scoring of the ESCOs during the evaluation process. There was discussion of the draft IGA contract. Ms. DeLai asked that the School Committee vote to support the recommendation of the Energy Savings Performance Contracting RFQ Evaluation team. Ms. DeLai was optimistic that she could send the draft contract to NORESCO by Friday. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, that the School Committee accent the recommendation of the Energy Savings Performance Contracting RFQ Evaluation team and proceed with negotiating an Investment Grade Audit Agreement with NORESCO pursuant to Massachusetts General Law Chanter 25A Section 11i. The vote was 6-0. D. New Business E. Routine Matters 1. Bills and Payroll (A) 2. Approval of Minutes 3. Bids and Donations 4. Calendar F. Information III. Adjournment On a motion by Mr. Caruso, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, the School Committee voted to adjourn The vote was 6-0. On a motion by Mr. Torman, seconded by Ms. West the Fincom voted to adjourn The vote was 7-0. IV. Future Business at 10:10 p.m. Patrick A. Schettini, Jr., J.D. Superintendent of Schools