Hadley Panel Delays School Heating Decision to Spring
Capital Planning · Meeting of September 28, 2026
Hadley delays a $6.1 million school heating overhaul, pushing it to spring town meeting. The joint Capital Planning and Finance Committees voted 3-0 to defer both a steam-to-hot-water conversion and a related school solar financing plan. Superintendent Annie McKenzie said the Massachusetts School Building Authority told her the district "will not be considered eligible" for any state heating aid while classrooms run on steam, and that converting to hot water carries no reimbursement on its own.
Facilities staffer Chris Desjardins put the conversion cost at $6.1 million against roughly $21,600 in annual savings. Finance Committee member Peter Matusko called that trade-off unwise; member Amy Feiden countered, "Stop kicking the can, right?" Officials confirmed no school capital items will appear on this fall's Special Town Meeting warrant.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 1,990 words
Source: the Capital Planning meeting of September 28, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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