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WESTFORD — After struggling to maintain comfortable temperatures, voters approved funding for HVAC upgrades to the Cameron Senior Center.
Voters approved Article 6, which covered the funding of a new HVAC system for the Cameron Senior Center and proposed an Energy Management Services Agreement, which will improve energy efficiency within the new system.
Both cooling and heating will be provided as needed throughout the entire building, as well as improve the building’s control system and modify its ventilation system.
“We can have the best of both worlds if we vote on both motions […] we can have comfortable seniors and a working system,” said resident Sue Thomas.
The HVAC system would also allow the center to reduce its natural gas consumption, with its total energy consumption expected to reduce by fifty percent.
“This is the equivalent of taking six cars off of the road,” said Town Manager Jodi Ross.
Some residents were hesitant over the price tag of the new system, which amounts to nearly $1.6 million in total funding. Voters approved $1.1 million, with the remaining funding previously approved through the American Rescue Plan Act.
The town is placing an emphasis on installing the best HVAC system for the center, with the added benefit of lowering overall operating costs and improving energy efficiency. They are collaborating with the company Ameresco on future designs, management services, and energy savings on future projects.
“Part of the town’s goal for this project and other projects is to reduce greenhouse gas. And one of the best ways to do that is through electricity as opposed to heat,” said Zack Walsh, an employee at Ameresco.
Cameron’s existing heating system will remain in place serving as a backup to the new system, with construction slated to continue through the winter.
Click here to read the results of the 2022 Annual Town Meeting.
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