The New Fire Station is under construction – Energy Efficiency has been questioned

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Construction for the new Fire Station on Breezy Avenue has begun.   The Station, which will be at the Four Corners adjacent to the MVCC driving range, was approved at Town Meeting in March 2013.  The contract for the Fire House was accepted from E.F. Wall with contingencies for $679,800, an amount that is well within the $920,000 bond approved by the voters of Greensboro.   The new building, which will resemble a Vermont barn, is projected to be complete by March 2014.  It will replace the current circa 1900 firehouse in the village and will provide ample room for newer equipment which does not fit in the current space as well as bathroom facilities.

One building issue is being discussed.  Current plans are to insulate the building walls and slab floor with fiberglass insulation which meets minimum current energy standards.   The Greensboro Town Energy Committee (GTEC) has asked the Town and the Fire Department to consider using foam/fiberglass insulation in the building in lieu of fiberglass  and to fully insulate the slab with foam.  Foam/Fiberglass insulation is the recommendation of Efficiency Vermont (a Statewide organization which helps communities identify and implement energy savings).  Energy efficiency translates to lower operating costs.

The Select Board and the Fire Station Committee is reviewing why the choice was made by the architect for fiberglass insulation vs. foam and is considering the cost vs. performance of the various systems.   Although there is bond money available to fund the upgrade to foam/fiberglass, the Select Board and Committee has taken a conservative approach to the construction, and has reiterated the position that bond vote money “shouldn’t just be spent because of what the taxpayers voted”.  In contrast, members of the Energy Committee feel foam is far superior in insulation and air sealing over fiberglass and an efficient building will pay dividends in fuel savings for its life.  A small savings now could translate into larger expense in the future.

All Greensboro property owners and taxpayers are invited to make comments regarding this insulation issue to the Select Board and Fire Committee via [email protected].   Comments can also be made via “leave a reply” in this article.

 

Lakeshore Zoning proposal has been rewritten after largest response from property owners in history of the Planning Commission

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The Greensboro Planning Commission met on Monday night and voted to amend the proposed zoning bylaw regarding the Lakeshore area.  Major changes include dropping the “Tree Matrix” proposal which dictated the number and size of trees which could be removed close to the lakefront and a change in the Regulation regarding “non conforming structures” to allow the replacement of damaged property much along the lines of the existing zoning (i.e. within the existing footprint). An additional meeting is being held October 21 to decide the issue of new “Boathouses”. Existing boathouses may be rebuilt if they are destroyed.

The GPC has prepared an excellent and updated comparision of the current and proposed zoning bylaw for the Lakeshore district.

The Planning Commission made the changes in response to written comments by property owners in the Lakeshore District.   The number of emails and letters was the largest which the Planning Commission has ever received regarding proposed changes to any regulation.  The GPC has expressed appreciation for the level of response from the community.

They are planning to hold a public hearing December 2, 2013 and the Town will vote on the final Proposal in March at Town Meeting.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact the Planning Commission at [email protected] or (802) 533-2911.

 

October 8 Update on Town Water Pipe Replacement Project

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On schedule and under budget!  Munson, the construction company working for the Fire District #1, will finish this week connecting all the Winnemere camps to the new water line.  The yellow temporary water lines will then disappear.  Munson will then repave those edges of Breezy Avenue and Wilson St. where they had to dig up to put in the new main. 

After the paving, Munson will put in the 1600 feet of pipe going out the south side of Breezy Ave. to the new fire station site at the Four Corners. The schedule then calls for installing pipe along Country Club Road and putting down new pipe out Black’s Point.  Redoing the roof of the reservoir and erecting a separate control building for the new well #4 will probably get done next spring.  The Town of Greensboro will pay for the spur out to the fire station site; all else is paid for by the water users under a 40 year loan agreement with the USDA.