GMUHS facilities chief takes new post as roof replacement plans get under way

By Stephen Seitz
©2016 Telegraph Publishing LLC

Brendan McNamara, the facilities director and transportation manager at Green Mountain Union High School, is stepping down on Dec. 30 to become town manager in Cavendish. His departures comes just as the school is embarking on a major project — the complete replacement of its 40-year-old roof.

“It’s tough to leave the school,” said McNamara. “I love the place. The biggest challenge is filling the shoes of Rich Svec,” the current town manager who is retiring. McNamara takes over on Jan. 3.

McNamara said he lives across the street from the town office in Cavendish. “When a community relies on you, you have to live it,” he said. “This is a chance to give something back.”

Cavendish Select Board member George Timko said being close to the community was one reason for McNamara’s selection. “We were set on having someone local,” he said. “I hope he works out well.”

GMUHS Principal Tom Ferenc said he was sorry to lose McNamara.

“We’ve been together eight years,” he said. “Green Mountain will miss him.” The news emerged at the regular meeting of the Green Mountain Union High School Board of Directors, held last Thursday, Dec. 8.

“That particular position (building and transportation manager) is difficult, and it is vital,” Ferenc told the board. “I wish him well. I love him. We all do. … I’ve asked the superintendent for permission to hire an interim. I need someone who can step in now, who can begin training.”

Solar project floated along with new roof

McNamara leaves as the high school is preparing to replace its roof, which is more than 40 years old. Ferenc said his departure won’t change anything. “This doesn’t affect the project at all,” he said. “The timetable hasn’t changed.”

The board has hired BMA Architects and Planners of Manchester to replace the roof. Architect Kirk Moore discussed the project’s status at the meeting.

(GMUHS roof) is a very good site (for solar panels) because it’s a very big roof. You could put a pretty big array on there. (It may be at) no cost to you. What you get is the reduced utility cost, (a company will) get the tax credits.

Kirk Moore
Architect

“I’ve completed the survey of the roof,” Moore said. “Basically, we’ve had to document the existing conditions of the roof, as well as develop some plans for the bid documents. We did do some test holes earlier this week. The thinking is that you’re going to have to remove the last roof that was on there, because you can’t get a warranty with a three-ply roof. You have to take it back down to the original roof.”

Moore said the project offered an opportunity to cut down on energy costs using 2 or 4 inches of polyiso insulation,  a rigid panel with glass fibers and a foam core. Moore then asked if the board had plans to install solar panels on the roof.

“We’ve had the discussion with students, who brought the idea to us,” said board chair Alison DesLauriers. “I believe the students think that would be a great idea. We can’t get the incentives or credits, so we don’t know what it would cost or generate in savings for the district over time.”

“I’m not an expert, but I have some some friends in the business,” Moore said. “They look for sites like this. This is a very good site because it’s a very big roof. You could put a pretty big array on there. It’s no cost to you. What you get is the reduced utility cost, they get the tax credits. That’s my understanding.”

Board member Henry Mauti objected to the idea. “Not in my lifetime are they going to put solar panels on this roof,” he said. “Mother Nature gave us a perfect field. It faces south. If there are going to be solar panels, that’s where they’re going to be.”

Not in my lifetime are they going to put solar panels on this roof. Mother Nature gave us a perfect field. It faces south. If there are going to be solar panels, that’s where they’re going to be.

Hank Mauti
School board member

The board wants to float a bond to finance the project.

“We have not done the bond approval piece with the community,” DesLauriers said. “How do we sort out the right number for that? Because the article will need to be warned before the bid date you quoted. We don’t have a ballpark figure yet. We need that.”

“I can work on that for you,” Moore replied. “The insulation is kind of a wild card. I’d like to get some more information about the insulation costs, because this is not a conventional roof. If you’re just talking about the roof, then it’s $300,000 to $600,000. I’ll help you come up with a firm number.”

Moore said he plans to put the project out to bid in February.

“Right now, I’m looking to have the bid documents by mid-January,” he said, “and putting it out to bid by Feb. 3, with a bid due date of Feb. 24. The pretty much mirrors what we did for Chester (Andover Elementary School). For that project we had a provision to hold the bid price until June, because obviously we don’t want to start the project before school’s out. I’m guessing it will take about four to six weeks to finish the roof.”

Moore said the roof would include a 30-year warranty.