Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Energy Solar topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Library rooftop solar project on hold pending federal grant certainty, select board told
Summary
Library trustees asked the select board to allow a single-vendor procurement for a rooftop solar installation but trustees and staff recommended delaying any contract until federal grant funding is guaranteed.
Library trustees told the Tamworth Select Board on Feb. 25 that they had requested an exception to the town purchasing policy so the library could contract with a single installer for a rooftop solar project, but trustees said the project should not proceed until grant funding is certain.
The library’s representative said the proposed contractor provided a locked price tied to the grant application; trustees said the town’s standard bid process could expose the project to increased equipment prices. The representative noted that two earlier responses to a request for estimates were not comparable and that one local contractor who has installed systems on town property did the lower-cost work for the higher-cost bidder.
Trustees said the state Department of Energy, which is administering the municipal solar grant that originates with federal funds, has referred questions to its legal office and has not yet guaranteed funding. “No money, no project,” a trustee said.
Why it matters: The rooftop system was intended to rely on grant funding. Proceeding with a single-vendor contract before funding is confirmed could commit the town or the library to costs the grant does not cover.
Board discussion and advice: Board members and staff discussed options: (1) override the purchasing policy and contract now to lock a price, (2) open the procurement to competitive bids, or (3) wait until the town receives a definitive funding determination. Town staff and trustees recommended waiting until the state confirms the availability of federal grant funds and until the grant’s legal review is complete. A select board member advised, “I recommend you don’t do anything with the contract with anybody for the solar until we learn more about the funding.”
No formal board vote was taken. Trustees said the project team will report back when the Department of Energy provides a clear funding determination.
Ending: The board took no action; trustees and staff will monitor the grant and return with an update when funding certainty and final cost estimates are available.
