MECHANIC FALLS — Town Manager John Hawley told the Town Council on Monday that sawdust has been identified as the culprit causing the boiler that heats the municipal complex to shut down.
The problem, which Hawley said began shortly after the town received a delivery of 26 tons of wood pellets, was caused when static electricity caused dust to accumulate on the sensors, shutting down the system.
Hawley said he contacted the supplier and they determined the town had received a bad batch of pellets. They burned just fine, but clearly the dust content was way too high.
Hawley said everything is fine as long as he monitors the system closely to keep the sensors clean.
“I have to spend time baby-sitting, but it works,” Hawley said.
He said the supplier, recognizing the inconvenience, had agreed to give the town credit in the form of waiving delivery charges this year, which would amount to about $600 or $700.
Hawley estimated the town uses about 75 tons of wood pellets a year.
Hawley noted the problem hasn’t resulted in a loss of heat in the fire station and Town Office building because the oil burner kicks in whenever the pellet stove quits.
“And with the price of oil down so low this year, it probably doesn’t make too much difference which fuel we’re using,” Hawley said.
Hawley also told councilors that the town’s digital sign in front the municipal building on Lewiston Street should be back in action soon.
The sign, which informs residents of meetings and other town activities, was vandalized in December. Hawley surmised someone attempted to remove individual LED panels in search of precious metals.
“The thing is, the sign people tell me there are no precious metals in it,” he said.
Damage has been estimated at $12,000. It’s covered by insurance so the town is liable for the $1,000 deductible.
Sanitary District Superintendent Nick Konstantoulakis told the council that his application for a grant from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund had been accepted and he could know as early as mid-February whether the grant to put in 1,200 feet of sewer line along Lewiston Street will be approved.
Once the grant is awarded, the town has about six to eight months to sign for the grant.
Hawley told the council he is working with town departments to prepare requests for next year’s budget. The fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30.
The draft budget will be presented to the council March 18.
Councilors approved changes to the hazardous communication policy, adopted a health reimbursement account policy, approved changes to the library hours policy and deferred action on a library confidentiality policy, which the state is reviewing.
Municipal offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 19, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
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