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School Building Project Nears Completion; Others Loom

Posted on: Monday, 14 November 2005, 00:00 CST

By Dan Bustard, Eagle Times, Claremont, N.H.

Nov. 11--CHESTER -- One building project is nearly complete at the Chester-Andover Elementary School as officials prepare to look ahead at what could be a larger construction project.

The final touches of the current project, including replacment the front door to the school, will take place during vacation next month, CAES Board member Arnie Jonynas said during Monday's board meeting.

Jonynas said the project will leave around $41,000 from the original bond, not enough to install more energy efficient lighting and far from enough to install new energy efficient windows.

In March 2004, voters in Andover and Chester approved a $606,039 bond in March for replacing the heating system except for the boiler, windows, doors and lighting in the school. When the bids came in much higher than expected, the decision was made to delay the project and determine what could be done with the money available.

With the heating system in bad shape, the school board decided to focus on it first. When state officials granted emergency status earlier this year, the board was able to proceed without seeking more bids.

Along with the heating system work, the board decided to replace the doors to the outside of the school.

Windsor Southwest Supervisory Union Superintendent Ed Brown said Efficiency Vermont, the state-sponsored energy efficiency organization, would be visiting the school. The most interesting aspect of the energy picture for schools is a plan by the state to support 90 percent of the cost to converting to wood pellets, Brown said.

CAES officials will have plenty of other issues to consider once an architect's report is presented within the next two months. The board approved spending $4,050 earlier this year for architects to look into better utilizing space within the school. Money from the bond will be used to pay for the work. Items set to be part of the original bond, along with other work, will be considered by the board for its next school project.

Jonynas said a presentation will be scheduled with the school board, with Brown indicating there is enough work left for the board to be "looking at a major bond" once again.

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Copyright (c) 2005, Eagle Times, Claremont, N.H.

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Source: Eagle Times, Claremont, New Hampshire

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