Selectman Carter says library rooftop solar plan faces funding gap as roof replacement set for 2031

Selectman Carter told the Buildings, Grounds & Maintenance Committee on April 1 that he has met with the Library Trustees about their rooftop solar project and warned the committee that funding is not yet in place. He said the library is not slated for a new roof until 2031 based on the lifespan of the current roof, and that the town’s Capital Reserve Fund does not currently have dedicated funds for a solar installation. The Trustees are working on a proposal to identify how the project would be funded.

The comments were made during a workshop session of the committee at Old Town Hall, where a quorum was not present and no votes were taken. Because the roof replacement is scheduled for 2031, town officials and trustees said they are continuing to investigate timing and financing rather than moving immediately to procurement or installation.

Selectman Carter’s account provides the current scheduling and funding constraints facing the trustees’ rooftop solar idea; he characterized the situation as procedural at this stage and indicated the Trustees will return with a written funding plan. The committee did not take formal action on the project at the workshop.

Members also continued nonbinding review of capital projects at the meeting, including updates to the Buildings capital improvement plan (CIP). The committee set a follow-up meeting for Wednesday, May 13 at 6 p.m. The workshop adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Minutes were submitted by Audry Barriault.

Sources: Selectman Carter’s remarks to the Buildings, Grounds & Maintenance Committee on April 1, 2026.