[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Hey Doug,

I’m currently working with Bryant Associates on a parking lot/traffic study project that was competitively bid. So far so good, and their RFQ packet scored very high in the pack of 10 or so that we received.

Bryant Associates

Elizabeth Lavoie: elavoie@bryant-engrs.com

617-248-0300

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Only for tomorrow’s tour in Western MA. Trying to see if they are hosting any more if folks are interested in alternative heating options.

 

Thanks

Ken

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

2019 MFAA Custodial Training

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

In Sharon we just did sampling at all our buildings and used Fuss and O’Neil.  We carry a line item to perform baseline samplings every year to confirm the buildings to help back up when these issues arise and also give us a starting point to compare future sampling to.

https://oldmfaa.avatar-development.com/sponsor/fuss-oneill-enviroscience-llc/

Good luck,

Ken

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Hi Joe,

I was just part of a ZE roundtable @ NEEPS Headquarters last week, giving voice from the sensible side of the tracks.  Right now looks like Cambridge and Lexington are the only players in town that I’m aware of going all electric, or at least making the math work for to say zero energy. The big push isn’t for your building right now and the grid as it stands today. Looking long range we will continue to move the grid towards renewables, but, communities aren’t likely to go back and retrofit your building in 2030 to shift over to all, or at least mostly, electric.

The discussion keeps moving towards resiliency for climate change not so much sustainability. How do we build our buildings to meet the environmental demands in 2030 and on? More extreme conditions, storms, etc….  Part of that first step, which seems to make sense, is to design towards a building that we don’t have to go back and touch 25 years from now. Utilities are being forced to continue to push the envelope for renewable sources, which luckily for us is happening here in MA more than other places.

That is a quick outcome from our initial meeting that does seem to make sense. VRF pricing is becoming more affordable, 3rd party solar is an option, get your buildings ready for when the utilities finally catch up in the next 15 to 20 years.

My thoughts anyway for now. Keep you all posted.

Ken

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Hey Michael,

Report all depends on how many buildings and the deliverables you are looking for. If you are just looking at your single building, which is huge, would think they should be able to be all wrapped up start to finish in less than 3 months start to finish. Again, all depends on level of detail you are looking for, and deliverables at the end.  I’ll post an old existing conditions study I did in Sharon back in 2013 in the resource docs for you.

I do know that SchoolDude now offers facilities assessments as a service. You may want to call Josh Peach and talk with him about it. They are on the MHEC contract now if that helps with bidding concerns.  Josh: 508-326-6308

Good luck,

Ken

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Hey Jon,

It was part of a message board strand, compliments of Tony K from Northampton, and not in our resource docs.  I’ll add it there as well.

Law removes managerial authority over non-teaching school employees

Thanks,

Ken

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Only thing that I keep coming up with is Fly Sense.  Not sure if your fire alarm company may have solutions as well.

https://www.sotertechnologies.com/

 

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Hey Bob,

Have you tried the new OSD TRD contractors:  https://www.mass.gov/service-details/tradespersons-statewide-contracts

Worth a shot to go through the list.

Good luck,

Ken

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Here At Monty Tech, The Facilities Director always dealt with the phones. Since I took over, I have included the IT Director as well. We are both able to look into the issues as needed.

Mike

Monty Tech

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Sharon uses Home Depot charge cards linked to the school account. We do have a spending limit per month which only becomes an issue during summer if we have a major project. Other than that we haven’t had many problems for odds and ends.

Good luck,

Ken

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Hey Gregg,

I don’t have experience with Mod Bit, but, EPDM world has come out with 90 mil roof that has 30-year warranty. You can also get it in white which is a game changer as far as I’m concerned…..

Good luck with the Mod Bit and curious to see what others have to say. Mod Bit is typically bulletproof as long as routine maintenance is applied to the system.

Ken

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

We applied and recieved a grant from DEP 3yrs ago which  part of the grant funded a part time recycling coordinator.

Through tracking, supporting recycling and cost avoidance we can now fund the position through savings on our dumpster contract.

School Committee voted in policy, schools supported program, you will need help and support to teach kids and stay on them of what can and cannot be recycled.

Find a champion in your schools that is willing to help support you. You can’t do it alone and top down doesn’t work. You need buy in.

You can contact me at Sharon and I’ll do my best to get you more info that can’t fit into a response on message board.

It takes time, effort, and energy but totally worth it as you are helping teach our kids how to protect our planet.

Good luck,

Ken

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Hey Cliffy,

Tuesday, Oct. 16 of our conference is all about school safety and security. Impact resistant films and where they work and what they can do is one of the items on the agenda.

Curious to see what others are doing on this as well.

Ken

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

It is coming and hearing more about it these days. I haven’t heard of anyone in our group as of yet installing so looking forward to any responses. I’ve also had request for marijuana detectors too…… oh boy!

https://abcnews.go.com/US/ny-school-installs-sensors-cut-students-vaping/story?id=54852303

Good luck,

Ken