One Boiler to be Replaced at the Vernon School Administration Building

The Board of Education will be able to replace one of two aged boilers that have left the administration building one more failure short of an igloo as the height of the heating season approaches.

The Town Council on Tuesday released up to $80,000 from the capital non-recurring fund to pay for a boiler replacement. The account is designed to make funds available for such purchases. The situation is an emergency, said Michael Purcaro, the director of business and finance for the school system.

The council vote was unanimous.

The school administration has two boilers - a 50-year-old model that is still operable and a 30-year-old boiler that had been fading in and out of consciousness until it recently died from a number of ailments.

The state does offer performance-based incentive programs that save a considerable amount over the long haul, but a new boiler is needed immediately, Purcaro said.

In a letter to Mayor George Apel, Superintendent of Schools Mary Conway said the cost of frequent repairs to the failed boiler, "exceed the cost of a replacement."

Public Works Director Robert Kleinhans told the council there is "a sense of urgency," because no one will guarantee the 50-year-old boiler will remain operational for any period of time. Kleinhans said the replacement will be able to run on both oil first and then natural gas, a requirement with the school system's planned conversion.

Both Purcaro and Kleinhans said all cost-saving avenues will be pursued in the second phase of the replacement project.

The Board of Education approved the replacement plan on Nov. 19.