WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. January 4, 2010: The Board of Education approved financing $11 Million in energy improvements identified by the Honeywell Corporation, which would save the district $1 Million in energy usage annually. Construction and installation of the Honeywell-supplied equipment and modifications to buildings in the district is expected to begin in March or April.

Board of Education approving energy saving contract Monday night.

The board, in addition also approved expenditure of $57,000 in repairs to the unfortunate design of the electrical system at the new $38.5 Million Post Road School which keeps lights in halls and the cafeteria on 24 hours a day.

The contract with Honeywell guarantees  the district will save at least $1 Million in energy usage each year after the modifications are installed by  Honeywell, or Honeywell compensates the district for the difference below $1 Million.

According to WPCNR calculations the contract should break even in savings over five years. Seiler said the $11 Million will be financed, but did not at this time have a handle on what the debt service would be, and would pay out in fifteen years. The equipment had been identified as a result of an “Energy Audit” conducted by Honeywell and a performance contract evaluating firm, ECG, last year.

The Board also approved  a $57,000 contract with RLJ Electric Corporation to correct the electrical system installed at the new Post Road School which presently keeps too many lights perpetually “on” 24 hours a day, far beyond security needs. According to Fred Seiler, Assistant Superintendent for Business,

 Kaeyer Garment & Davidson has agreed to pay part of the $57,000 repair cost, Seiler said, but the reimbursement  has not been negotiated yet. Kaeyer Garment & Davidson designed and supervised the light system with the electrical contractors and the system wiring  installed has created a situation where too many lights have to be lit 24 hours a day in order to provide the minimum security lighting.

Seiler said he expected the work would begin in late February. He said  the work would consist of rewiring, an “improvement of energy efficiencies,” and”better use of lights.” The main problem that will be solved first Seiler said was the problem of the cafeteria lights which currently stay on all the time with the present electric configuration.