BOS approves use of ARPA funds

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At its Aug. 15 meeting, the Granby Board of Selectmen approved the use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for ventilation improvements at Wells Road School and ventilation and air conditioning at Granby Memorial High School.

Signed into law in March 2021, the act provides funding for state and local governments to “mitigate the health and economic impacts of Covid-19.” The specific types of uses for Granby’s over $3 million were described in an article in the July/August issue of the Drummer. Granby’s Project Priority list of May 4, 2022 was approved at an earlier BOS meeting, with the first item being the HVAC work at the schools. There was no objection to beginning this work. Superintendent Jordan Grossman noted that he occasionally had to send students home when the classrooms became too hot.

Air conditioning may be added to the ventilation ductwork improvements at Wells Road at a future date if so desired. Currently, re-configuration is ongoing at the high school, involving the cafeteria, special education space, choral space and vocational technical education area, so it is an ideal time to make the HVAC improvements. The air conditioning will be installed in areas that lack windows, and where large groups of students congregate.

These HVAC projects have gone out to bid. The contract will be awarded by the Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG). The search is being managed for the CCROG by Gordian, using ezIQC, a program that provides construction cost data. Grossman and BOE business manager Anna Robbins reported that the BOE has successfully used this program for many of its building projects.