The meeting opened with an update on the Michel Regional High School construction project. Attendees shared their observations from a recent site visit, expressing admiration for the progress made thus far. They noted that while much work remains, the defined spaces within the building are now visible, and the atmosphere of the site has markedly improved, drawing comparisons to upgrading from an old vehicle to a new one. The interior walls are yet to be fully framed, but the advanced technology being integrated into the building design has been highlighted as a transformative change.

A critical point of discussion was the innovative pedagogical opportunities that the new building design would offer. It is designed to cater to diverse learning styles and inspire both students and staff. An educator at the meeting addressed the past frustrations with high school bathroom conditions, explaining that the new design is set to mitigate misbehavior associated with unsupervised areas. The new bathrooms will have visibility from the hallway, allowing for monitoring while maintaining privacy in the stalls, which could reduce disciplinary issues.

The committee agreed to conduct future site tours approximately every six months, particularly at significant milestones in the construction process, to monitor progress. These future visits will focus on critical areas such as the D-wing, which serves as the starting point for construction. The committee plans to schedule these visits to coincide with important project benchmarks.

The committee then reviewed updates from Scanska, Castle, and Piggly, the firms involved in the project. Scanska reported on their ongoing coordination efforts and third-party testing agencies’ involvement. They estimated the project to be about 25-30% complete, both in terms of schedule and financial expenditures. While the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) did not visit that month, Scanska anticipates receiving a draft of the project funding agreement soon.

Attention then shifted to the solar photovoltaic project. The committee had previously signed a letter of intent with Select Energy, which facilitated advancements without binding commitments. The project has achieved “safe harbor,” securing tax credits that alleviate timing pressures. The committee is now evaluating options for solar installation, considering battery storage implications and local energy saturation challenges that previously restricted energy generation.

The committee expressed caution about rushing into a power purchase agreement (PPA) rate and emphasized the need for a measured approach to ensure favorable outcomes. They recognized the importance of understanding the implications of battery storage and the curtailment issues related to energy production. It was acknowledged that a long-term lease agreement would require school committee approval, as such arrangements would span approximately 20 years.

Discussion also touched on the potential for Select Energy to set a deadline once their study is complete, allowing the committee to engage in discussions about the value proposition they offer. The possibility of purchasing solar panels remains on the table, and the committee intends to consider all options before making recommendations.

The timeline for decisions regarding the solar project was addressed, with the committee confirming that no decision would be sought at the January meeting. They acknowledged the unique challenges Bolton faces in its electrical infrastructure, as it is serviced by National Grid, which operates three separate electrical lines that do not connect.

Further discussion addressed curtailment implications and how it could affect the solar system’s sizing. There was clarification that excess energy produced by the building would typically be sent back to National Grid, but curtailment issues might prevent this, necessitating adjustments to the system’s design.

The meeting also included updates on the website, noting that pictures from the recent tour would be uploaded and meeting dates and links were made available. There was a brief discussion about the status of an external Google site, with suggestions to clarify its status on the district website to avoid confusion. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn, with participants expressing appreciation for the discussions held.