Published March 19, 2020
By JILLIAN STRING
NORTH READING — At its March 2 meeting, the School Committee approved a proposed warrant article for the June 8 Town Meeting to establish a school rental revolving account for solar arrays.
Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Michael Connelly explained that the fund will be used for long-term rental of surplus space, most notably for a 20-year solar array lease agreement for the Middle School and High School roof and ground space.
The revolving account “would essentially allow for the receipt of solar lease payments that would ultimately help offset the School Department’s energy costs,” Connelly explained.
According to Connelly, the district is in the final stages of putting together a request for proposal (RFP) for the solar array.
The RFP will be for a developer to lease the Middle School and High School roof, and possibly some ground areas, to install and operate solar panels over a 20-year period in exchange for monthly lease payments.
“This gives us the opportunity, should proposals come in that are advantageous, to have something ready in time for the June 8 Town Meeting,” Connelly said.
Connelly noted that town counsel was currently reviewing the language of the warrant article. As presented to the committee, the article states: “To see if the Town will vote to establish a revolving fund entitled ‘School Rental Revolving Fund’ pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40, Section 3, to be expended by the School Department for the purpose of receiving rental payments for the leasing of surplus space in or on a school, and to accept the provision in Chapter 40 Section 3 that allows funds to be expended for the upkeep and maintenance of any facility under the control of the School Committee.”
“I’m very excited that this process has moved forward so quickly and I thank you guys for all of your efforts,” School Committee member Rich McGowan said.
School Committee Chairman Scott Buckley asked Connelly if all rental income, such as for the Performing Arts Center or gymnasium, would be put into this new fund.
“The idea is actually to keep those separate,” Connelly said.
Committee Vice Chairman Janene Imbriano noted that the committee has not created warrant articles to establish other revolving accounts in the past.
“The other (accounts) are under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 71, which doesn’t require a Town Meeting appropriation,” Connelly explained.
