Camden to hold special meeting for citizens to consider municipal energy efficiency upgrades
CAMDEN — The venue may be outside at the Camden Snow Bowl, or in cars in its large parking lot, but Camden citizens will be invited to a special town meeting at which warrant articles concerning a spending package will be proposed. Part of the purpose of a special town meeting is to take advantage of low interest rates currently available.
At a Jan. 5 regularly scheduled meeting, Camden Select Board members voted unanimously to ask voters if they want to borrow $2.3 million over 17-year period to address a series of renovations and energy efficiency improvements at municipal properties and buildings.
They also approved warrant article language for the contract with Siemens Industry, Inc., the global company based in Germany, and which has offices in Maine and New Hampshire. Its focus is on energy technologies, supplier of systems for power generation and transmission, as well as medical diagnostics.
Camden has been in conversation with Siemens’ engineers, who submitted last fall a proposal to make energy efficiency repairs and upgrades, and which was discussed at length at the Dec. 15 Select Board meeting.
The contract stipulates that Siemens is to be hired, “to upgrade multiple public buildings, increase energy efficiency, and reduce long term energy demands and costs.”
The terms including signing a financing agreement/loan with Siemens for $2.336 million, amortized over a 17 year-period and with an annual interest rate not to exceed 2.5%.
The total loan amount of $2,336,000 is be reduced by, “any sums authorized to be drawn and paid from the Unassigned Fund Balance....”
And, if voters approve, an initial $200,000 is to be paid up-front to Siemens from the town’s Unassigned Fund Balance, which is also known as the Camden Reserve Fund.
Denny Webber, Colleen Fissette and Elmer Arbogast, employees of Siemens, had presented results of energy audit work conducted for the town in 2019. The audit addressed existing town facilities, how to reduce energy consumption, manage energy purchasing, and generate and store energy in order to be less dependent on the grid.
Projects
As outlined to the Select Board, and included in a the Dec. 15 meeting packet, Siemens is to identify potential improvements to existing facilities — using a phased approach — find savings to fund the project, and leverage utility provided rebates.
Town Office and Opera House
Retrofitting or replacing all interior lighting at the Opera House and Town Office with LED lighting;
Solve the water issues in the [Town Office] basement with a sealed crawl space liner or membrane on the floor and walls;
Consider roof replacement to eliminate the current leaking issues;
Install a new roof hatch;
Install new Wi-Fi programmable thermostats;
Insulate the attic once the water in the basement is under control and not providing moisture to rise;
Install a crawl space liner.
At the Public Safety Building:
Retrofit or replace all interior lighting to LED;
Install a heat pump in the fitness room;
Replace seven heating/cooling heat pump units and AHUs;
Install a mini split system for the antique pumper showcase:
Consider roof replacement for both buildings;
Consider rooftop solar option once roof is replaced [this idea was countered by a discussion concerning solar arrays, in general, and more efficient locations than the roof of the Public Safety Building.
At the Public Works and Waste Water Treatment Plant
Retrofit or replace all interior lighting to LED;
Weather strip external building doors and garage doors at public works;
Add a heat pump for office space at public works;
Potential rooftop solar at waste water.
Snow Bowl
Retrofit or replace all interior lighting to LED;
Replace existing trail lighting fixtures;
Install new parking lot lighting/LED;
Weather strip external building doors;
Replace single pane windows with double pane windows;
Improve the front entrance and appearance;
Install geothermal heating and cooling system;
Improve the snow making process to reduce energy usage, improve reliability, flexibility and sustainability;
Consider roof replacement and insulation;
Camden Public Library
Retrofit or replace all interior lighting to LED;
Install programmable controls and wireless dimmers
Weather strip external building doors;
Insulate attic and walls that need to improved;
Install new propane boiler to replace current oil burner;
Install new building automation system and implementing
During the discussion concerning the proposed special town meeting and warrant articles, the Select Board agreed that current interest rates are favorable for borrowing,
Camden Town Manager Audra Caler said the $2.33 million loan would be spread out over 17 years, with the first-year balance of $200,000 would derive from the town’s undesignated fund balance.
The first year payment on the loan would be higher, she said.
“I think it’s imperative that we move ahead,” said board member Marc Ratner. “Infrastructure is one of most important things we do.”
With the low loan rates, it, “makes great sense to move ahead.”
Board member Taylor Benzie said he was not a huge proponent of special town meetings, but agree that the potential for savings, in this particular case, was attractive.
The board also learned that the 2.5 percent interest rate would likely be lowered to 2 percent.
“It makes sense for cost savings,” said Benzie.
Ratner said that a few of the municipal buildings — the library and public safety building — have been, “in trouble for long time.”
Board member Jenna Lookner agreed, citing the low interest rate, and the opportunity to, “strike while we have this.”
Board member Alison McKellar agreed with the motion to place the articles before citizens but wanted to include a statement concerning Camden’s commitment to supporting the goals of the Maine Climate Council’s Action Plan, released in December.
Part of that plan is to achieve Maine’s carbon neutrality by 2045, and to reduce Maine’s greenhouse emissions by 45 percent, to below 1990 levels by Year 2030.
The special town meeting is to be scheduled for January 25, with a rain date of January 26, at 5:30 p.m.
A meeting will likely take place at the Camden Snow Bowl, outside, or in the parking lot, using technology so that citizens can participate from their respective vehicles.
Reach Editorial Director Lynda Clancy at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657
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