Committee backs $100,000 recommendation to replace Robinson School generator

The Capital Planning Committee voted Sept. 18 to recommend a capital request for replacement of the Robinson School standby generator after facilities staff reported the unit is original to the building and no longer reliable.

"The current generator is original to the building. It was built in 1968," said Jeff Goodwin, director of facilities, who told the committee the unit currently runs on a single cylinder and will fault after roughly 15 minutes; parts are no longer available and the unit is not worth further investment. Goodwin recommended a new pad‑mounted generator sized to serve the building and that could be relocated later if needed.

Committee members asked whether a trailer‑mounted or rental solution might be more flexible; discussion covered spare parts purchases, maintenance contracts (the town currently uses an outside vendor for routine PM), and the potential to move the new unit to other municipal sites in future. Goodwin said the town's new maintenance contractor and existing vendor history give staff confidence in installation and ongoing service. The committee's roll-call recommendation included a $100,000 figure for the Robinson School generator and passed along with two other capital asks.