Ratepayers have school concerns

The Cramahe Ratepayers Association had questions about the planned school in Castleton last month and they still don't feel they have all the answers.

Northumberland-Quinte West MPP Lou Rinaldi was the guest of the group at its May 15 meeting, speaking on the province's Green Initiative. Ratepayer, John Rutherford, wondered if geothermal heating might provide a "green" answer for the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board when it builds the school later this year.

Mr. Rutherford has contacted the board. According to statements made at the Ratepayers meeting he was told by John Berry of the KPRDSB Engineering Services that there were no savings to be made by using geothermal when the school requires it for only 5-6 months of the year. The R value of the insulation used in the school will be the highest possible.

Members of the Ratepayers Association were not sure that long-term use of the school would bear out the comments attributed to the board official. The group was also concerned that the use of a conventional heating/cooling system would not fall into the provincial government's Green Initiative.

A letter will be sent to the MPP expressing the Ratepayer concerns about the $4.8 million project scheduled to be completed by the start of the 2010-11 school year.