ACUSHNET — Superintendent Dr. Paula Bailey and Acushnet Public Schools are sharing information with residents regarding an upcoming Proposition 2½ debt exclusion vote scheduled for Tuesday, April 22.
The vote relates to proposed funding for the district’s Air/Environment Quality and Clean Energy Project, which aims to improve indoor environmental quality and increase energy efficiency throughout school facilities.
The proposed project includes a series of upgrades to school infrastructure, with a primary focus on the HVAC system at Acushnet Elementary School. The improvements are designed to provide better air circulation, comfort, and humidity control for students and staff. The project’s aim is to address long-standing issues with poor air quality and excess humidity, which led to mold and prematurely aging infrastructure.
In addition, the project includes the installation of a new centralized building management system (BMS), allowing for more efficient control, monitoring, and maintenance of the school’s equipment and energy use.
Additional measures proposed as part of the project include improvements to the building envelope to reduce air infiltration, duct sealing using advanced technologies to minimize air leakage, and the addition of central air purification systems equipped with powered active filters to enhance air quality.
The funding for these improvements would be secured through a Proposition 2½ debt exclusion, which, if approved, would allow the Town of Acushnet to temporarily raise property taxes to cover the cost of the project. Unlike a Proposition 2½ override, a debt exclusion only lasts for the life of the loan used to fund the project.
The total estimated cost of the project is not to exceed $4,200,000.
The Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Green Communities Division has approved a Competitive Grant award of $500,000 toward the project and the District further estimates minimum Eversource rebates & incentives of $200,000 to offset project costs.
Thus, the anticipated net long-term debt requirement is expected to be not more than $3,500,000.
Based on the Acushnet Current Residential Tax Rate (FY25) of 10.79 per $1,000 and the Average Single Family Assessed Value (FY25) of $471,732, a $3,500,00 borrowing with a 4% interest rate (amounting to an average annual debt service of $248,500/year) would increase the Average Single Family Tax Bill approximately $56.61 annually for 20 years (the estimated the life of the borrowing) or $1,132.20 total over the life of the debt.
A joint Select Board and School Committee Public Hearing regarding the debt exclusion project is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16 in the cafeteria at Albert F. Ford Middle School, 708 Middle Road.
“Years of continuous use and aging infrastructure have created urgent challenges in our schools,” Superintendent Dr. Bailey said. “This project is a proactive investment to ensure our facilities remain safe, high-performing environments for learning — and enduring assets for our students and community. A delay in these essential improvements increases safety concerns to the building, students and staff, and increases the risk of greater long-term damage to the current system, which will result in higher long-term costs. It’s important to extend the life of our school buildings, rather than build new schools.”
Residents seeking more information about the project, the debt exclusion process, and the potential tax impacts can visit the District’s debt exclusion FAQ page.
###
Discover more from John Guilfoil Public Relations
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.