Maintenance Supervisor John Huyck gave the Wayland Board of Education a comprehensive report Monday night on things that have been accomplished in the schools since last summer and things still being undertaken.
Included in Huyck’s report was a list of tasks completed, such as all parking lot lights switched to LEDs, installation of two new doors at the pool, new air conditioning compressors, implementation of two bottle filling stations, refinishing of gymnasium floors, installation of playground equipment for Steeby and Pine Street elementaries, and repainting the football and track stadium press box, among other things.
However, some tasks and issues still remain. Huyck said particularly stubborn is the problem with the Pool Pac at the high school, which regulates humidity at the pool. He added there still are issues with lighting at the Fine Arts Center and the transformation of the baseball field at the middle school into a junior varsity field in order to comply with Title IX rules.
The board completed one task Monday evening, awarding a three-year bid from Pro-Mow of Byron Center to do mowing and provide other services for $117,571 annually over the three years. Two bids for the work had been received. Snow plowing bids are still being taken this month and a decision has not yet been made.
Finance Director Bill Melching insisted that Pro-Mow will be doing much more than just mow. He said its duties will include trimming, mulching, edging sidewalks, some fall leaf cleanup, tree pruning and lining athletic fields.
Melching said he and Huyck examined the possibility of hiring the work internally, but came to the conclusion it would be more costly.
“We believe this is more cost effective (than having it done in-house),” he said.
The finance director also noted a potential savings of as much as $50,000 in natural gas costs if a proposed new contract is approved, beginning April 1. He said heating and winter maintenance costs have been much lower this year than last because of the nature of the two winters.
