At the Bellport Village Work Session on Monday night, Chris Fitzsimmons, of Johnson Controls, made a Draft Village Sustainability Plan presentation to the board. Last July, the village began …
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At the Bellport Village Work Session on Monday night, Chris Fitzsimmons, of Johnson Controls, made a Draft Village Sustainability Plan presentation to the board. Last July, the village began gathering data for an analysis by Johnson Controls.
Fitzsimmons has worked with Patchogue Village on their Johnson Controls project and signed on with Johnson Controls for an audit in October 2020. They accepted a contract in March 2021, which included a dollar-neutral energy savings project.
Fitzsimmons discussed project highlights after their staff investigated ways the village could become more energy efficient, save money in the long run, and pick up the reins environmentally. Suggested were 23 essential infrastructure upgrades, including 100 percent LED lighting throughout facilities and roadways, cost-reducing climate upgrades at multiple sites, and enhancement and expansion of renewable energy initiatives.
The proposed highlights, he pitched, would bring the village to a net-zero GHG carbon emissions achieved.
Again, the board has to review the proposal in-depth and can make other suggestions before it’s voted on.
The proposed measures included interior retrofit lighting for Village Hall, DPW, the Community Center, marina, and village-wide. Exterior retrofit lighting included the Community Center, marina and village-wide. Weatherization included DPW and the Community Center buildings. Attic insulation included DPW, roof replacement included DPW, energy management system wireless thermostats included Village Hall, DPW and the Community Center. Condensing unit/rooftop unit replacement /air handler unit replacement included the Community Center. Heating system/boiler/furnace controllers included the Community Center. Air conditioning compressor controllers included the Community Center. Energy storage and photovoltaics at Ho-Hum Beach was targeted village-wise. Renewable energy/solar energy generation included DPW, the Community Center and village-wide.
That includes a renewable energy carport with 3-by-5-foot panels, Fitzsimmons said, in the golf course away from the road, enabling zero net GHG emissions.
Mayor Ray Fell pointed out that 75 percent of the streetlights are already fitted with LED lights. “Completing that would save us $35,000 or $40,000,” he said.
The cost of the project would be $2.34 million. As to funding, “We haven’t made the decision about funding, as we haven’t voted on it yet, but it could be a bond,” Fell said. “Our budget would stay the same, the village would pay for it and the savings would pay for the outlay. Johnson Controls promised that if they don’t meet the cost savings, they would write us a check.”
If the project is fully installed and signed off, the savings would be the following. With a Year 1 lease payment of $170,821, the guaranteed annual energy savings is $69,449 ($72,828 payment). Year 2 lease payment is $170,821, guaranteed annual energy savings and rebates is $236, 588 (plus $91,478). Year 3 lease payment, the guaranteed annual energy savings is $73,679 (a profit of $71,353). Loan term is 4 percent for 20 years. Capital cost avoidance is $125,000. Estimated rebates are $167,800.
Costs would be budgeted. “But we’d ultimately pay for the improvements out of our savings,” Fell said.
Village clerk John Kocay pointed out, “In the 1990s, Ray and Johnson Controls worked at the Pat-Med School District. This man [Fitzsimmons] dedicates himself to municipalities only.”
The plan can’t go forth until the board, which has met with Johnson Controls many times over the last few months, reviews the total presentation and votes on it. A targeted contract review and execution is suggested for Feb. 14 to March 10, financing closing is suggested for March 14, and suggested notice to proceed on March 17. If approved, work could begin this spring; projected completion is summer 2023. The biggest piece, Fitzsimmons said, is solar energy implementation.
Questions asked included how thermostats would be controlled (via a phone app or spot dashboard), where would old solar panels go (United Way and others who recycle), where some of the new solar panels might be located (possibly on the west face of the Community Center), and how do you handle the historic district. It was pointed out that the panels might be directed to the flanks of the buildings, not on the visible side. “We’ve checked with SHPO [New York State Historic Preservation Office],” Fell said. “SHPO allows solar panels in historic districts.”
“We are aware of the solar panel implementation and have to weigh the aesthetics,” Kocay said. “The Historic Preservation Committee is developing draft regulations on historic homes with solar panels.”
Another question about the carport was why at the golf course parking lot and not at the marina. (It would be in the back of the parking lot and not visible.)
Fitzsimmons asked if the board wanted changes. He also answered questions from the public, as did the village board.
Kocay pointed out there have been weekly or bi-weekly meetings with Johnson Controls staff, but that the board was interested in a thorough behind-the-scenes detailed account before voting.
“We’ve had weekly or bi-weekly meetings with their staff,” Kocay said. “It’s been honed. In my mind, I can’t see making changes. But I’m interested in the details behind it.”
Fitzsimmons added that the Suffolk County Village Association was presenting Johnson Controls with an upcoming Partner of the Year Award. “Once you get the detailed report, it’s in there,” said Fitzsimmons.
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