School Co-Generator Talks Before Selectmen Tonight

Selectmen are scheduled to talk about an energy saving co-generator at Swampscott High when the board meets tonight.

The meeting is at 7 at Town Hall, with the co-generator talks scheduled for 7:50.

Wayne Spritz of the town Renewable Energy Committee told selectmen on March 6, that he had spoken to the School Committee about the length of time the high school's energy-saving generator had been off line.

He said he had told school officials that the Renewable Energy panel was concerned that the machine had been broken since late last year and had not been repaired.

Swampscott, as part of its Green Community status and requirements, must, by 2014, reduce by 20 percent the amount of energy the town used in 2009. And schools account for a large chunk of the town's energy use.

Spritz told selectmen that school Business Manager Ed Cronin said the reason the co-generator had been down so long was that the school department had been trying but unable to find a company willing to repair it.

Spritz, an enginener, told selectmen that he went to look at the device soon after he spoke to the school officials and found that it was repaired and operational.

He told selectmen he was concerned that the co-generator went so long without being repaired.

Selectman Glenn Kessler was particularly concerned about the machine's down time and loss of savings to the town.

He suggested that the town cut the school budget by the amount of money lost during the time the co-generator was not operating.

Selectmen took no action, saying they would investigate further.

The school business manager told Patch in a subsequent interview that he was unaware when Spritz voiced concerns about the cogenerator that the manufacturer had already agreed with school facilities people to come out and fix the co-generator.

Its repair soon after Spritz brought it up was a matter coincidence, he said.

Also on the selectmen's agenda: former Finance Committee Chairman Michael McClung is scheduled to talk to the board about a warrant article.