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Police chief urges pre-emptive roof replacement and suggests adding solar panels to municipal roofing project
Summary
The committee heard from police leadership and facilities supervisor that the 24-year-old police station roof has recurring leaks and should be replaced now; staff recommended combining roof projects townwide and adding solar to capture a 30% federal tax credit and long-term energy savings.
The Londonderry CIP Committee reviewed a police department request to replace the 24-year-old roof on the police station and asked the town council to consider combining several municipal roof projects to gain price efficiencies and federal tax incentives.
Police leadership and JR Valente, the department's facilities maintenance supervisor, told the committee the building has had recurring leaks and visible shingle cupping. The police representative said the facility has been well maintained but that the roof's age and recent leaks argue for replacement now to avoid higher repair costs and potential mold and health problems later.
Staff advised that replacing multiple roofs at once'including the police station, the fire station and the town hall'would allow contractors to offer better bids and enable the town to capture a 30% tax-credit window for solar installations. Sean told the committee the council will be asked on July 20 to use EMTF funds to pursue a combined roofing and solar package. He said the combined project produced a long-term projected return that staff described as significant over 40 years.
Committee members asked technical questions about bid specifications, including whether contractors would strip old shingles to inspect underlying sheathing, and about typical contractor contingencies. Valente said the bid included an ice-and-water shield and that, in his inspection, flashing and roof components mostly looked sound. Staff noted contractors commonly include a 10%–15% contingency for unforeseen work.
On solar specifics, the committee heard the panels proposed have long warranties (about 30 years on the panels discussed) and that the department expects a multi-year payback period; one presenter cited roughly seven years of payback for a package discussed in the meeting. Staff emphasized that the item is still subject to council approval and could be removed from the CIP list if the council funds the work.
The committee did not take a formal vote on the roof project during the meeting. The next step is the July 20 council consideration of EMTF funding for a bundled roofing/solar approach.
