Maine news, sports, weather | Kennebec Journal, Augusta, Maine

China selectmen put energy efficiency funds on the ballot

BY MARY GROW, Correspondent

CHINA -- Selectmen here voted unanimously monday to put a proposed ordinance on the Nov. 2 ballot that would allow China residents to apply for federal funds to make their homes more energy efficient.

Maine's PACE program is a national leader, as well as a potential boon to state residents, Dana Fischer told selectmen Monday evening.

PACE, which stands for Property Assessed Clean Energy program was created by legislation introduced by Rep. Patsy Crockett, D-Augusta. It provides $20 million of federal stimulus money for a revolving loan fund to help people pay for energy-saving work on their houses.

Fischer, residential program specialist with EfficiencyMaine Trust, said that some energy improvements qualify for state and federal rebates. The revolving fund is intended to lend up to $15,000 per household to fill the gap. The interest rate will probably be around 5 percent, Fischer said, and the term will be up to 15 years.

The goal is to make monthly repayments less than projected savings on fuel or other energy costs, "so the homeowner will be cash-positive right away," Fischer said.

In order for China residents to participate, the town must pass a PACE Ordinance, contract with EfficiencyMaine to administer the program and create a community education and outreach program.

After the town establishes eligibility, individual homeowners can have an energy audit done, followed by recommended improvements. Audits typically cost between $300 and $500, included in the project cost, and auditors are knowledgeable about financing options, Fischer said.

Of the two dozen states with versions of the program, Fischer said Maine is the only one that treats an energy program loan as a transferable secondary priority mortgage.

Everywhere else, the mortgage is first priority. As a result, he said, federal mortgage backers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac don't want to deal with properties whose owners have loans outstanding.

Fischer said the federal agencies have no problem with Maine's program. Other states are looking at Maine as a model. Maine is also in the lead in terms of having trained weatherization contractors, he said.

The other major issue at Monday's meeting was the proposed expansion of the Weeks Mills fire station. The Planning Board has approved the project; selectmen have now delayed it, but with no intention of killing it.

After an hour-long session with Town Attorney Alton Stevens, selectmen deleted from their list of payments a $13,138 check with which firefighters intended to buy materials for the addition. They later voted unanimously to be supportive of the project and to continue research.

They said the delay stems from issues raised by the relationship among the town, because taxpayers' money makes up the building fund; the Weeks Mills Water Company, which owns the land under the addition; and the volunteer fire department, which owns the building and has a renewable 99-year lease on the land.

Two weeks ago, Town Manager Daniel L'Heureux questioned whether taxpayers' money can be spent on a building the town does not own. A Maine Municipal Association attorney gave an opinion that it can; tax money can legally be used for a public purpose.

Selectmen briefly considered two other matters:

* L'Heureux reported that he and Selectman Paul MacDonald reviewed the three-way intersection in Weeks Mills Village with David Allen of the state transportation department. The state will do a Dirigo Road speed study and perhaps add more warning signs, the manager said.

* Selectmen unanimously approved a one-day liquor permit for The Cabins at China Lake, on Lakeview Drive just south of China Village, for a family reunion scheduled from 8 a.m. to midnight Saturday.