Westford Academy auditorium HVAC fails; panel debates $35,000 temporary cooling vs. million‑dollar replacement

Facilities staff told the Capital Planning Committee that the auditorium HVAC at Westford Academy has failed and is no longer cooling, prompting a discussion over a temporary rental solution and a longer‑term replacement.

"To replace this unit with an in‑kind replacement would be extremely costly — north of a million," Jeff Goodwin, director of facilities, told the committee. Goodwin said the unit's condenser coils are damaged, prior compressor replacements were a temporary fix, and vendor pricing and lead times for a full replacement could exceed a year. To avoid losing summer theater programs and rentals, staff proposed bringing in temporary cooling with an initial mobilization estimate of $35,000 and monthly rental costs to be determined.

Committee members debated whether a rental/temporary solution should be handled as an operating expense or as a capital appropriation (staff said timing complexities and the warrant schedule made including a capital placeholder practical). Several members urged the committee to seek a clear dollar figure and a plan before taking a final position; Tom L. moved to table the HVAC recommendation until more information is available, and the motion to table carried by roll call. The committee agreed staff should continue to pursue long‑term replacement options (including heat‑pump/electrification possibilities) and provide a recommended scope and cost ahead of any final procurement.