Otisfield mulls green town garage

OTISFIELD — Selectmen and the town Roads Committee are seeing eye-to-eye on the need for a "green" town garage, but not yet.

Dixie Williams, the Road Committee chairman, reported to the Board of Selectmen at its December 1 meeting that after much consideration, the committee feels that the town will need to construct a municipal garage, but that it should be as environmentally friendly as possible, especially with regard to cost of operation.

The committee has been meeting weekly and even toured the facilities in other towns, to determine features that could be incorporated, or avoided, in the design of a new building for Otisfield. Williams said a wood-pellet heating system seems to be an attractive and viable solution to the need for temperature control. It is environmentally friendly and as it is more efficient, costs less to operate. But other factors can be addressed, too. Lighting, for example, can be much more efficient than is usually seen in commercial structures of that type.

"Since this is going to be a public building, we understand that the services of an architect are going to be necessary," Williams said. "But we want to know what we will be talking about."

Selectman Rick Micklon, a builder who specializes in "green" structures, immediately offered his services as a resource to the committee. But he, and his colleagues on the board were resolute when Williams asked about the time frame for further steps.

"We think we can have a plan ready for town meeting, but it would be hard," he told the selectmen.

The board agreed that such an effort would not be necessary and, perhaps even counterproductive.

"I don't think the town's voters are going to be up for it this year," said Chairman Hal Ferguson. "Besides, we should be certain we have it right, before we start,"

Micklon added "Yes, we definitely want it right the first time."

Selectman Lenny Adler pointed out that such projects have one shot at passage and the coming year would not be realistic timing, due to the economy.

In other business, Micklon reported that the well at the Community Hall was finished and there is now a 10 gallon-per-minute flow, attained by a 260-foot hole, 40 feet of which is encased.

"I'm pleased to announce that the work is completed and the Community Hall will be open for this year's town meeting," Micklon said. He added that the building has been secured for the winter.