Select Board discusses fire station energy audit, grant spending and remaining solar project costs

Members of the West Fairlee Select Board reviewed recent energy work and grant activity affecting the town's buildings and solar project. The chair reported the energy committee engaged an auditor and that the grant includes funds for identified energy-conservation measures at the fire station and other municipal facilities.

The board was told Two Rivers (the administering organization) has proposed an amendment to release $23,000 to the town because Two Rivers cannot spend all the grant funds itself. "We're gonna release it for the town to spend," the chair said in explaining the amendment. Members discussed remaining project costs and estimated roughly $50,000–$60,000 could remain to cover items such as windows, refrigerators and final solar bills after the town's increased spending on heat pumps and solar.

Board members reviewed contract and invoice timing: construction-phase work will move to a town-pay-and-reimburse model once the state and contracts permit, and the board noted work must be finished by Dec. 31 unless a contract is entered before Sept. 30 to carry work into the next year. Members also discussed small energy-conservation items to include in later amendments, such as hooking a sink to an on-demand hot-water heater and assessing door replacements to improve efficiency.

The board directed staff to continue coordinating with Two Rivers and the energy committee on amendment language and to track invoices as they arrive so the town has a clearer sense of remaining grant-eligible expenses.