PARIS — Residents will weigh in on a proposal from town officials to replace faulty heating and cooling units at the fire station.
At their meeting on Monday night selectmen agreed to schedule a special town meeting for July 28 to discuss purchasing three new high-efficiency rooftop heating, ventilation, air conditioning units for the Fire Department. The units provide heat and air conditioning to the offices, meeting room, kitchen and lounge.
According to fire Chief Brad Frost, the current units began failing three years ago, nine years into their lifespan. Frost said each unit has an average lifespan of 10 years and repair costs annually amount to the price of a new unit.
According to Town Manager Amy Bernard, the cost for keeping the units running over the past two years has been “astronomical.”
In fiscal year 2012-13, the town spent $7,567 on repairs; in 2013-14, $7,846, according to Bernard.
Bernard said the Fire Department could pay for the repair costs and stay within budget however, at over $15,000, it made more fiscal sense to buy new units.
Frost said the condition of the units deteriorated greatly over the past winter. During a four-day stretch, the units crashed repeatedly.
“It was terrible,” Frost said.
Frost recommended purchasing three high-efficiency units from Portland-based contractors Demmons Roofing at a cost of $35,660.
Paris would receive a $1,875 tax credit from Efficiency Maine, and likely see a reduction in energy costs, he said. The units have a 15- to 20-year lifespan, Frost said.
Bernard said holding a meeting to allow voters to decide was “cleaner.”
“This allows voters to decide rather than having the town decide for them,” Bernard said.
The funds would come from the undesignated fund balance.
The meeting will be held Monday, July 28, prior to the selectmen’s meeting.
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