Representatives from town boards and committees, along with library staff and Trustees, met in January to determine whether to recommend a ground-source heat pump (GSHP) system or a conventional gas-fired system for the Library HVAC replacement. Based on the best financial information available at the time – including cost estimates and projected credits and incentives that could reduce the overall project cost – the group concluded that the GSHP system should be recommended as the preferred option and that Town Meeting should be asked to approve the necessary funding.

Last week, new information was received regarding federal tax credit projections from two independent firms. Based on this updated information, it was concluded that the original projections provided to the Town were overly optimistic. As a result, it has been recommend that Town Meeting defer its decision in order to allow the project team to complete additional due diligence and finish its comprehensive lifecycle cost analysis.

This work is anticipated to be completed in time to inform a decision on whether to request funding at a fall Special Town Meeting.