A panel of experts will be on hand to answer questions tonight before voters in Brookline and Newfane reconsider a NewBrook Elementary School energy project. Half of the two-part project was approved at a special meeting in June. Voters approved a loan for a new heating and cooling system for the elementary school, but did not pass an article to erect solar panels to power the system's heat pumps.
A posting about the project on the school's website gives the details:
On June 12th , 2014, the School Board convened a special meeting of Newfane and Brookline voters to consider two related proposals: solar panels to provide electricity for the school, and a loan to help pay for a new heating and cooling system using air-to-air heat pumps. The proposed solar system, which was sized to produce enough electricity to also run the heat pumps, was defeated by two votes. The loan for the heat pumps was approved.
The school board decided to bring the solar panel proposal back up for a re-vote, with the intention of providing more information on the project. Meanwhile, a petition was filed to reconsider the vote on the heating system. As a result, both questions will be reconsidered tonight.
A pre-vote discussion will begin at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the school gym, followed by the vote at 7:00 p.m.
