Energy fixes get 2nd chance in Seabrook

[Northern Mass]

This action is being allowed for this year only, by the legislature. It was explained that schools should have access to stimulas money "in case of emergency" such as the collapse of a roof. I personally felt the system was being abused the first time Honeywell proposed this, it certainly is not in the spirit of SB2. This same proposal was recently defeated at the Rockingham County complex, about two weeks ago... suddenly it's available to us again. Bottom line ... if your offended, you should be. As far as the State running schools, they aren't innocent in any of this, trust me. Matter of fact, if these bonds stay current "the State" gains credit for future bonds. On the other hand County seems a little more responsible in their budget and behavior. If Schools are having problems with SB2, I hear county ran schools work quite well in the South.

[SES]

Maybe Honeywell will throw in a dance pole free of charge

[too funny]

Maybe they already have! Too much pole dancin and not enough attention to education. Pretty bad when a seasoned board member of over 10 years is asked a simple question by CS and JM answers " I know nothing about it". Time for change folks. If he(the School Board rep to the Budget Committee) knows nothing about a 1.9 million set by the Board the Town is in trouble. Boy the Hampton School Board and parents are all over the Hampton Union. They would never allow the crap that Seabrook allows. What is wrong with you people in Seabrook you should be demanding better for your kids and the Seabrook School Board should listen.

[true brooker]

SES wrote:

Maybe Honeywell will throw in a dance pole free of charge

Wow, what this about the pole dancing,lmao where would they put it?

[true brooker]

too funny wrote:

Maybe they already have! Too much pole dancin and not enough attention to education. Pretty bad when a seasoned board member of over 10 years is asked a simple question by CS and JM answers " I know nothing about it". Time for change folks. If he(the School Board rep to the Budget Committee) knows nothing about a 1.9 million set by the Board the Town is in trouble. Boy the Hampton School Board and parents are all over the Hampton Union. They would never allow the crap that Seabrook allows. What is wrong with you people in Seabrook you should be demanding better for your kids and the Seabrook School Board should listen.

I think the majority of that board should go,but they keep getting voted in,why?i will be running again this coming march and i know what i'd do with that kind of money its spelled EDUCATION as i keep saying,and the parents would have a voice,i'm not affraid to open my mouth if i think its right and to benifet our children.

[convince up true brooker]

paul (true brooher) how many school board meetings have you attended this year( not many) and tell us you plan and what Curriculum do you plan to use? Do you have any collage education? why do you think you can do better? We do need change but you have not convinced us you’re the change we need. You’re just running because you’re upset by the way you were treated when you were employed at Seabrook School and that is not the best reason to run. Paul convince us in detail what your plans are and what changes your planning to make so we can back you if not than just go away.i do not want to hear what bad everyone else is doing i want to hear what good you will do for our children and how you will do it

[frump]

wow

[true brooker]

convince up true brooker wrote:

paul (true brooher) how many school board meetings have you attended this year( not many) and tell us you plan and what Curriculum do you plan to use? Do you have any collage education? why do you think you can do better? We do need change but you have not convinced us you’re the change we need. You’re just running because you’re upset by the way you were treated when you were employed at Seabrook School and that is not the best reason to run. Paul convince us in detail what your plans are and what changes your planning to make so we can back you if not than just go away.i do not want to hear what bad everyone else is doing i want to hear what good you will do for our children and how you will do it

I am not running cause of what you think,im not mad at all of what happened i was treated fair by the board im not bashing anyone.I dont have a college degree but i do have a high school education from the Exeter High School,but you dont need one to be elected to any position on the town.If you would like to call me i will tell you why i am running for schoolboard i dont think i have to explain myself on this sight.You werent going to back me anyways just like you didnt back my father.So dont waist my time.Meeting i watch them on channel 22 dont need to go to them how many have you made.This method of curriculum aint working is it?back to the basics.But i would love to hear from you so please do call me.I will never just go away my friend.

[true brooker]

Did you know that i was on the operation table for 7 and a half hours and lost 2 pints of blood,luckly for my brother or i probly wouldnt be here right now,ive got a cage around my spine fused together by 4 screws and 4 rods and plates,that is why i had to leave my job,i wasnt fired i have no grudge with anyone on that board.I wished i didnt have to go through what i went through and what i'm still going through i wouldnt wish this on anyone,ive explained myself countless times on here and this will be the last time i'm doing it,please anyone call me and i will explain why i would love to be elected to the board,i loved my job and the people i worked for and with.Again i'm not running on a grudge.Convince up do you get my drift now,if not please call me stop hiding behind you screen if you dont want to call put your name to your post have some balls huh.

[heartless people]

true brooker wrote:

Did you know that i was on the operation table for 7 and a half hours and lost 2 pints of blood,luckly for my brother or i probly wouldnt be here right now,ive got a cage around my spine fused together by 4 screws and 4 rods and plates,that is why i had to leave my job,i wasnt fired i have no grudge with anyone on that board.I wished i didnt have to go through what i went through and what i'm still going through i wouldnt wish this on anyone,ive explained myself countless times on here and this will be the last time i'm doing it,please anyone call me and i will explain why i would love to be elected to the board,i loved my job and the people i worked for and with.Again i'm not running on a grudge.Convince up do you get my drift now,if not please call me stop hiding behind you screen if you dont want to call put your name to your post have some balls huh.

Paul they will know when karma pays them a visit. Take care and dont let someone on this junk site upset you like this. We know you loved your job. take it easy.

[heartless people]

convince up true brooker wrote:

paul (true brooher) how many school board meetings have you attended this year( not many) and tell us you plan and what Curriculum do you plan to use? Do you have any collage education? why do you think you can do better? We do need change but you have not convinced us you’re the change we need. You’re just running because you’re upset by the way you were treated when you were employed at Seabrook School and that is not the best reason to run. Paul convince us in detail what your plans are and what changes your planning to make so we can back you if not than just go away.i do not want to hear what bad everyone else is doing i want to hear what good you will do for our children and how you will do it

Why would Paul have to go to the meetings that last 10 minutes is he a school board member? You may want to check the records even the board members that are elected and paid dont go to meetings. Believe me a few of them are not earning the pay. Why dont the board members that are attending speak up. Paul you dont need to waste your time at the Board Meetings you miss nothing. We know your focus is on the kids education the board focus is on Honeywell and 1.9 million dollars.

[true brooker]

heartless people wrote:

<quoted text>Why would Paul have to go to the meetings that last 10 minutes is he a school board member? You may want to check the records even the board members that are elected and paid dont go to meetings. Believe me a few of them are not earning the pay. Why dont the board members that are attending speak up. Paul you dont need to waste your time at the Board Meetings you miss nothing. We know your focus is on the kids education the board focus is on Honeywell and 1.9 million dollars.

thank you atleast we know some people have hearts

[SHOCKED]

you don't need a college education to be a member of the school board? That surprises me. It seems like we would want educated people incharge of our children.

[Mentally Handicapped]

Just because someone has a college degree or cares dosn't mean they are the best person for the job it takes someone who cares and is educated enough to know what they are talking about someone who also has common sense and willing to listen as well as speaks the sad part is that people (and i am not pointing fingers at anyone its a general statement)only look to what they can get out of it for them selves from politicians to board members to the average everyday person this is my person opinion

[true brooker]

Mentally Handicapped wrote:

Just because someone has a college degree or cares dosn't mean they are the best person for the job it takes someone who cares and is educated enough to know what they are talking about someone who also has common sense and willing to listen as well as speaks the sad part is that people (and i am not pointing fingers at anyone its a general statement)only look to what they can get out of it for them selves from politicians to board members to the average everyday person this is my person opinion

you are correct on that

[taxpayer beware]

Quincy, Honeywell await state Inspector General's report.
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Related Links On the Web
CITY OF PRESIDENTS
The Patriot Ledger
Posted Nov 07, 2009 @ 02:55 AM
Last update Nov 07, 2009 @ 08:01 AM
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QUINCY —.The election – and much of the most heated talk about Honeywell’s $30.4 million deal with the city – is over. Yet hope remains, in some circles, that Quincy and the New Jersey-based firm can still reach a settlement.
For now, it’s a waiting game – mostly for the state inspector general’s report, which could determine if Quincy was shortchanged when it partnered with Honeywell in the name of energy efficiency years ago.
Mayor Thomas Koch said the inspector general’s office has told him it has all it needs and will issue its report “before the end of the calendar year.”
“They looked at every aspect of it,” Koch said.“I know they’re concerned about several aspects of the contract and how it was arrived at. They certainly were disturbed by the numbers that were in there and what was charged.”
Koch repeatedly brought up Honeywell during the recent campaign, which ended with his win Tuesday over former Mayor William Phelan, who had signed off on the deal. The probe began at Koch’s urging last January, although officials in the inspector general’s office had said its findings wouldn’t be released until after the Nov. 3 election.

[taxpayer beware]

Tom Hamilton, a regional general manager for Honeywell, could not be reached for comment for this story. But two weeks ago, in an appearance before the city council, he promised that the company would “make things right.”
“We anxiously await (the inspector general’s) report and findings,” Hamilton told the council.“We’ve turned over everything.”
Koch said the city, which has tried to settle with Honeywell, is “anxious as everybody else to get the thing done.”
“The sooner the better,” Koch said.“It’s my hope that this report will give us a greater position for a settlement so we can move on.”
The contract, signed in May 2007, is for $30.4 million worth of work, such as boiler and roof replacement. There is also $2.3 million for asbestos allowance, contingencies and work tied to water meters.
Honeywell has guaranteed the city will recoup its costs because more energy-efficient equipment will lead to reduced utility bills. Plus, the city would realize more revenue through new, more accurate water meters.
The company wrote in October that Quincy has received $480,000 in energy incentives thus far due to work the company has performed.
The deal also came with finance and maintenance agreements that, all told, commit Quincy to about $70 million in payments to Honeywell over 20 years.
Koch has refused to begin making maintenance payments to Honeywell until the city is satisfied with the work. Hamilton told the city council that the longer the equipment goes without maintenance, the less likely it is to realize the energy savings.
The mayor and several city employees have said a lot of the work has required extensive repairs and replacements, did not come with sufficient engineering, and could have been done for less than $30 million.
The inspector general’s report will come as Honeywell works with Worcester and Marshfield officials on similar energy-savings contracts, allowed under a 2006 state law change. Marshfield town meeting voters agreed to the pact late last month despite the impending state probe, with a planning board member citing the company’s “fantastic references.”
Honeywell is also under fire for a similar contract with the Army to upgrade a base in Alaska with more energy-efficient equipment. According to a report in The Los Angeles Times, Army officials are claiming they are not seeing any savings nine years after the contract was signed, possibly due to faulty energy-use accounting.
Jack Encarnacao may be reached at [e-mail].
READ MORE about Honeywell. Comment on our CITY OF PRESIDENTS blog.

[taxpayer beware continued]

Tom Hamilton, a regional general manager for Honeywell, could not be reached for comment for this story. But two weeks ago, in an appearance before the city council, he promised that the company would “make things right.”

“We anxiously await (the inspector general’s) report and findings,” Hamilton told the council.“We’ve turned over everything.”

Koch said the city, which has tried to settle with Honeywell, is “anxious as everybody else to get the thing done.”

“The sooner the better,” Koch said.“It’s my hope that this report will give us a greater position for a settlement so we can move on.”

The contract, signed in May 2007, is for $30.4 million worth of work, such as boiler and roof replacement. There is also $2.3 million for asbestos allowance, contingencies and work tied to water meters.

Honeywell has guaranteed the city will recoup its costs because more energy-efficient equipment will lead to reduced utility bills. Plus, the city would realize more revenue through new, more accurate water meters.

The company wrote in October that Quincy has received $480,000 in energy incentives thus far due to work the company has performed.

The deal also came with finance and maintenance agreements that, all told, commit Quincy to about $70 million in payments to Honeywell over 20 years.

Koch has refused to begin making maintenance payments to Honeywell until the city is satisfied with the work. Hamilton told the city council that the longer the equipment goes without maintenance, the less likely it is to realize the energy savings.

The mayor and several city employees have said a lot of the work has required extensive repairs and replacements, did not come with sufficient engineering, and could have been done for less than $30 million.

The inspector general’s report will come as Honeywell works with Worcester and Marshfield officials on similar energy-savings contracts, allowed under a 2006 state law change. Marshfield town meeting voters agreed to the pact late last month despite the impending state probe, with a planning board member citing the company’s “fantastic references.”

Honeywell is also under fire for a similar contract with the Army to upgrade a base in Alaska with more energy-efficient equipment. According to a report in The Los Angeles Times, Army officials are claiming they are not seeing any savings nine years after the contract was signed, possibly due to faulty energy-use accounting.

Jack Encarnacao may be reached at [e-mail].

READ MORE about Honeywell. Comment on our CITY OF PRESIDENTS blog

[VoteNOonDec2]

Honeywell stands behind energy work, won’t say how much it paid subcontractors.
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Wake up Seabrook School Board dont let people use us for a stool pigeon.
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Related Links City councilors question Honeywell water meters (10/27/09)
On the Web
City of Presidents
By Jack Encarnacao
The Patriot Ledger
Posted Oct 27, 2009 @ 07:51 AM
Last update Oct 27, 2009 @ 09:48 AM
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QUINCY —.A Honeywell representative sought to assuage discontent over the company’s $30 million contract to improve energy efficiency in Quincy’s public buildings.
“We want to resolve this,” said Thomas Hamilton, a New Jersey-based regional general manager for the firm.“I’ve walked those buildings. That is good work. We stand behind it. We’re not backing away. We’ll make it right.”
He would not, however, reveal oft-requested details about how much it paid subcontractors for certain projects.
“To provide that level of pricing would be a competitive threat to us,” he said.“It’s a fixed-price contract.”
The city council got a full review of the contract Monday night. But a week before a mayoral election in which one candidate is using the contract to hammer his opponent, not everyone on the council wanted to hear it.
Mayor Thomas Koch has ripped the $30 million contract, as well as accompanying financing and maintenance agreements, designed to save money on energy costs by installing more efficient equipment. Koch said it has included inflated costs and resulted in shoddy work.

[VoteNOSeabrookSc hool]

City Councilor Brian McNamee said Koch is leaving out any data about whether the city has saved any money since the work was done starting in 2007.

“There are hard savings that can be pointed to because of some of the things that were done,” he said.“I would have to say that what I’m currently hearing is a biased presentation on the eve of a city election. I have to object to it, as a matter of fairness.”

Several supporters of former mayor William Phelan, who signed the Honeywell contract in May 2007, were in the audience and applauded councilors who decried the political tinge to the evening’s discussion.

While it may have been taken up before next Tuesday’s election, it won’t be resolved until well afterward. The review was the first of several the committee expects to have on the contract.

“There are hundreds of questions,” Councilor Douglas Gutro said.“This will take countless hours.”

Hamilton said Honeywell would pay for any energy savings it guaranteed that were not realized. Councilor John Keenan said he is concerned that a maintenance contract and a payment was made to Honeywell without city council approval.

“It’s unconscionable, in an election season or not in an election season,” he said.

A letter written by Hamilton called into question numbers Koch has cited for certain Honeywell projects, specifically the roof at the Wollaston Library.

Koch said the city, based on a March 2007 estimate provided by Honeywell, paid $224,000 to replace the roof, though a contractor listed the cost of the work as about $45,000.

“Simply put, the comparisons are not accurate,” Hamilton’s letter reads.“We hired one company to install all nine roofs under the program. The contractor was paid for the entire project, not on a roof-by-roof basis. When you review the roofing contract in full, it’s clear that the overall expense for the nine roof replacements was reasonable.”

Hamilton refused to say how much was actually paid to a subcontractor to do the work, repeatedly using the phrase “competitive threat” in response to councilors’ questions.. He did say he turned over that information to the state inspector general, who is investigating.

Kennan said the question is whether the overall expenses should have been lower.

“Could we have paid half as much to get the savings that they’re guaranteeing?” he said.“The question is: could we have saved more?”

City solicitor James Timmins said Honeywell has refused to specify itemized costs, such as a roof-by-roof breakdown, calling it proprietary information. Councilor Daniel Raymondi called on Honeywell to provide those specifics.

“If they’re asking us to review their correspondence in good faith ... fine,” Raymondi said.“Provide us with the information that will justify their conclusion.”

Read more about the Honeywell controversy and post comments on our City of Presidents blog