What's the plan Stan?


With the high school heating system tore apart, in the middle of winter no less, I have to wonder if there were a real emergency and the Town's designated emergency shelter had to be used, would there be enough heat for the duration? That would be NRHS which is in the middle of a boiler replacement project. I wonder if there is an emergency generator at Town Hall. I recall a few years back when Town emergency operations director, Rich Curtis told the BOS that most if not all Town employees had to take some FEMA training courses that have to do with a real state of emergency within the Town.  I remember the BOS back in 2008 put out to bid for tree debris removal and had a signed contract for such. Then that contractor stated he had not bid enough for the actual amount of work that would really be required so he needed more money. At a meeting with some selectmen, then town coordinator, state and local emergency reps, and the contractor, and at one point, the tree contractor said, "that is my wood and anyone moving it could result in legal action" The Town had a signed contract with the vendor but as usual back then, they went for more money to pay the increase requested by the tree contractor rather than hold him to his bid. There was eventually an additional reimbursement of money from  FEMA but that action continued to set the bad precedent of not holding contractors to task for their bids. I hope the present board of selectmen take the training and the task of leaders for the Town during any emergency. To make this point, I believe there were a few Town workers who came close to being overcome by carbon monoxide at one Town building because a generator exhaust was not correctly vented or the piping was deteriorated due to poor maintenance and or inspection. These are things that are sometimes overlooked due to everyday things and others that are unexpected such as a budget shortfall. One would hope now with extra time, the selectmen can look hard at policy and budget, (since the Town Administrator now handles most day to day administrative things) and take the time to look at and make decisions on these important issues.


On the other side of the fence, word on the street, not based on anything "on paper" yet, but the wood chip (biomass) boiler project may be over budget as the chimney for the project will cost more than expected.???????  Also the excavation for the chimney may be undermining the existing building, that would be part of the school. Perhaps this subject will be addressed at the next school committee meeting. Maybe even we can get a confirmation of a contract for wood chips at the advertised price (from the district) of $28.00 per ton along with an idea when this boiler project will be completed.


Since this expense and project involves Town resident's money and their children, we can get some update from the BOS at their next meeting. It was voted at Town meeting so I think it would be a relevant subject for the selectmen to pass on information on.


Jeff Bennett