Department Overview

Department Overview

Maintenance and Facilities Department Major Roles and Responsibilities

Facilities:

The facilities department is responsible for maintaining and protecting the assets of the nine buildings in the Amherst, Pelham and Regional Schools. This work includes all HVAC, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, painting, flooring, mechanical and automotive needs. The department is also responsible for ensuring adherence and compliance to many state and local laws regarding systems such as fire alarm testing and drills, sprinkler testing, building inspections, AHERA (asbestos), underground storage tanks and building security. Additionally, all landscaping/grounds upkeep during the growing season and all snow plowing/removal in the winter season (except Pelham) are handled through this department.

Transportation:

The transportation department operates and maintains a fleet of nine school buses and fourteen school vans. Both the buses and vans are used on a daily basis to transport students to and from school both in Amherst and to outside placements. The department also provides transportation to athletic and cultural events, both locally and out-of-state. The staff is required to meet all Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations and state laws. The staff performs bus evacuation drills at all schools for all grades. The transportation department also provides emergency service if the need arises to evacuate a location in time of crisis.

Major Accomplishments:

The facilities staff has recently completed or supervised the following projects:

• High School
  • Two Boilers Converted to Dual Fuel
  • Energy Retro Fits to Lights
  • 20,000 Gallon Oil Tank Fill System Updates
  • Alarm System Enhanced with Motion Detectors
  • Backflow Preventer Rebuild
  • Access Road Storm Drain Reconstruction
  • Parking Lot Lighting Repairs
  • Parking Lot Cracks Filled
• Middle School
  • Installed Face and Bypass Dampers to Room Heaters
  • Installed Generator for Phone and Computers
  • Dual Fuel Boiler Conversions
  • Lighting Retro Fits for Energy Savings
  • Pool Enhancements to Comply with Federal Law VGB
• Wildwood
  • Special Needs Room Upgraded
  • Painted Exterior Doors
• Marks Meadow
  • Asbestos Plan Written for Abatement
• Fort River and Crocker Farm
  • Interior and Exterior Lighting Retrofits
  • Painted Exterior Doors
  • Fort River Asbestos Abatement
• Pelham
  • Retrofit Hot Water Heater to Improve Air Quality
• All Schools
  • HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing Repairs and Preventative Maintenance
  • Completed Safety and Fire Inspections in All Facilities

Upcoming Major Projects:

• Compose and submit the FY10 letter of intent for Fort River and Wildwood Renovations to the State for consideration.
• Improve ESAH handicap accessibility and bathrooms.
• Energy Survey Performed by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) for all schools.