School committee backs superintendent to pursue LED lighting upgrade using net‑metering credits

The Blackstone‑Millville Regional School Committee voted to allow the superintendent to pursue a National Grid‑facilitated LED lighting upgrade for the middle school and to explore applying existing net‑metering credits to the district’s expected share.

Director of Finance Joseph Spaga described the proposal: the total project cost is $260,276; the Town of Blackstone would apply $93,000 of its weatherization grant to the middle‑school lighting work, and National Grid has offered incentives valued at $50,848, leaving a community contribution of roughly $116,000 that the district would be responsible for. Spaga said the district currently holds significant net‑metering credits and that, based on initial review, those credits could be applied to reduce or eliminate the district’s liability.

Committee members pressed for financial detail and contingency planning. Questions included whether credits would be applied monthly or as a lump sum, how credits are trended across accounts, whether Schedule Z reallocations would be available to move credits between accounts, and what the project’s payback would look like if credits prove insufficient. Spaga said he will prepare trending showing monthly credit application, research Schedule Z possibilities and return with a fiscal viability review for phase 2 if necessary.

Chuck Dunton moved to allow the superintendent to pursue the lighting project and related credit applications; Carrie Gaudette seconded. The motion passed with the ayes prevailing. The superintendent agreed to report back with credit trending, schedule‑Z options and a contingency plan; the committee requested updates on every agenda until the matter is resolved.

Committee members noted that if credits do not fully cover the district’s obligation, the committee will consider options and return to vote on any required expenditures. The director of finance said the LED upgrade is expected to reduce electricity usage on the supply side and, combined with credits applied on delivery charges, could yield net positive cash flow under current usage assumptions.