Following on the thread here at iBratt concerning energy efficiency at the West Brattleboro fire station, this article is on life-cycle cost analysis as an alternative, many would say better, decision making tool for major capital expenses like fire stations.  Versions of this should appear in the Reformer and Commons soon as well.  Info on assumptions, modeling tools, etc. will be added in the comments section.

The (truer) Cost of Things (like buildings)

When a large building is built the owner usually bends over backwards to keep construction costs as low as possible.  What would happen if the primary objective were not to minimize up-front costs but rather to keep the cost of operating the building over its lifetime as low as possible?  This is called a life-cycle cost analysis.  Let’s apply it to the West Brattleboro fire station that is currently under construction, in particular its heating energy use.

At their next Tuesday meeting at the Municipal Center, the Brattleboro Selectboard will likely approve of the $2,773,336 guaranteed maximum price for the work to be done for the new police station.

Ten more areas of the FY18 budget will be reviewed, a downtown parking study will get underway, parking lots will be discussed, and single stream transition issues will be reviewed.

All this and more, and you can attend and participate! Bring up anything else not already on the agenda during Public Participation.

Brattleboro’s Finance Director, John O’Connor, announced that he might retire during FY18.  Vacation buybacks were a frequent topic and planners are using fewer ballpoint pens.

All this and more, at a special meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard from a remote but familiar location across the street from their usual meeting room.

The Town of Brattleboro would like to remind everyone that the snow emergency ban is in effect.

Snow and ice will be removed from the streets in the downtown area this evening.

Parked vehicles in the downtown district must be removed by 10:30pm or they will be towed at the owner’s expense.

The Town of Brattleboro would like to remind everyone that the snow emergency ban is in effect.

Snow and ice will be removed from the parking lots in the downtown area this evening.

Parked vehicles in the downtown parking lots must be removed by 10:30pm or they will be towed at the owner’s expense.