|
Opponents, supporters lay out their HVAC arguments
by Gregory R. Norfleet · News · March 19, 2008
Despite tension and frustration during an informational meeting last Wednesday on the proposed geothermal system, organizers seemed glad to address many concerns and clear up misconceptions.
Though Shive-Hattery engineer Jim Knowles came to Hoover Elementary on March 22 to field questions, brief arguments occasionally broke out between some of the 30-plus members of the audience.
Knowles even brought a brief video to explain the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system and its benefits. Though organizers tried three times to present the video, heated discussions never allowed them to even press the “play” button throughout the 90-minute meeting.
Still, West Branch Community Schools Superintendent Craig Artist said he was pleased with the turnout and questions.
“I think people learned a lot on both sides of the issue,” Artist told the Board of Education on Thursday.
Those who questioned the necessity of a geothermal system in Hoover Elementary — which would make up about $2.76 million of the $3.35 million bond issue — wanted to know the reliability of the cost estimates, whether due consideration was given to a conventional HVAC system and whether the building would outlast the HVAC system.
Supporters said they trusted the engineer’s figures, found the 25-year savings the largest with geothermal and felt a system with classroom-by-classroom flexibility was best for staff and pupils.
Knowles said the estimates of $2.76 million for geothermal, the $2.51 million for a two-pipe ventilator system, the $2.63 million for a four-pipe ventilator system and the $2.3 for the heating and ventilation-only system came from a national database by RSMeans. RSMeans asks engineers and contractors to input project data, like dates, costs, locations, etc. and then shares that range of figures with others.
“So we’re dealing with off-the seat-of-our-pants numbers,” resident Rod Hanson said. “I have a hard time dealing with that.”
Knowles said the figures are rough, but not arbitrary.
“These figures are backed up over a number of years,” he said.
“So, the $2.7 million could (end up being) $3.5 million,” Hanson asked.
“In this bidding climate, $2.7 million could be $2.5 million,” Knowles replied.
West Branch Community Schools Superintendent Craig Artist said Hoover spent about $92,000 on gas and electricity in 2007 and that many schools report a savings of 25 to 30 percent after switching to geothermal.
“That is on top of the fact that they added air conditioning,” he said.
Resident Norm Bickford said he wanted to see a “full-blown bid for a complete conventional system.”
Knowles said that is “very uncommon” and that large projects rely on researched estimates to determine affordability, then ask for bids.
Asked if he felt Hoover Elementary, built in 1954, would outlast the system, which is expected to last 25 years, Knowles said yes.
“Everything we have at our disposal tells us this is a good candidate for geothermal,” he said.
Hanson asked for some assurances that, if the bond issue passes, the low-bidding contractor would not install “Wal-Mart-quality equipment.”
Resident Mike Hahn and Artist both said that bidders must meet the specifications laid out by the engineering firm.
Though members of Care For Kids, who organized to promote a “yes” vote for the April 22 election, sat relatively quiet throughout the discussion, member Carolyn Harold spoke up near the end during a debate about district finances.
“One thing that has not been brought up tonight is the comfort of the kids and the employees of this building,” she said. “I want better for my kids.”
Artist agreed.
“We are under enormous pressure to be better at what we do,” he said, referring to teachers. “We know we all went through (school without air conditioning), but I don’t think our kids deserve that anymore.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
