By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

CASCO — Despite a big upfront cost and almost a decade before savings are realized, the Casco Select Board supported installing LED lighting in two town-owned buildings.

On Tuesday night, the board embraced the idea of using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to convert to LED lighting at the community center and in the town office. 

Chair Scott Avery suggested doing the upgrades in the buildings that are more frequently used. Take advantage of the federal funding and the current rebates, he said.

“So, we have $22,000 left in funding from ARPA. We should do the community center and the town office with ARPA funds,” he said. “The lights are on more often at the community center — it’s a no brainer.”

Meanwhile, as testament to that truth, the sound of basketballs being used on the gym floor could be heard from the meeting room.

Avery made the motion to make the improvements that would accomplish two goals: Saving money on utility bills, and being easier on the environment by using less electricity and therefore less fossil fuel.

The select board’s move is in line with one of the recommendations of an energy audit that was discussed at the previous meeting in January and again this week.

Recently, the town received a free energy audit from Titan Energy. It was completed on Jan. 24. The report is available online and was part of select board’s packet.

As advised by town staff, the board decided to hold off on the redoing lighting in Casco Fire Station. The fire station may be renovated or rebuilt in the future.

Casco Town Manager Anthony Ward recapped the portion of the energy audit having to do with LED lighting. 

The Casco Community Center is the most expensive to convert to LED lights, he said. The project cost was estimated at $13,274 with a rebate of $1810, which put the total cost at $11,464.

“It would take 10 years to get our investment on it,” Ward said.

The monthly cost of delaying the change and continuing to use candescent bulbs is $91.59 a month, according to Titan’s report.

The Casco Town Office project cost is $9,085 but with rebates of $1,528, it would cost the town $7,556.

“It would take seven years to see our investment,” Ward said.

The annex — which the board decided not to do yet — is estimated to cost $6,887 to do once the rebates of $2,083 were applied. The cost without rebates is $8,971. The monthly cost of delaying the changeover at the annex is $105, Titan’s report said. The annex is the former town office that is located behind the fire station. Currently, the annex is being used by the public works department.

“It would go along with the resiliency grants we are doing,” Ward said.

The big plus is not having to take the LED-lighting request to the taxpayers. Because the board is opting to use ARPA money, the cost will not have to be worked into the budget. 

Robert MacDonald started the conversation based information in select board’s packet.

“The first option would be using remaining ARPA funds,” he said.

Somebody asked what the balance was.

Ward said most of the money has been allocated but not expended. The balance of funds that have not been earmarked is about $22,000, he said.

“We have until next year to use all of it,” he said.

Then, the board discussed the unknown future of the annex building.

“What is the plan for the annex if public works builds a new building,”

Ward did not have the answer to that, but he had a timeframe. After talking to an architectural firm, from preliminary design to construction of a new building could take four years, Ward said.

“We would be looking four years out” before the annex building is vacant again, he said.

Select board member Grant Plummer asked if the town already converted to LED lighting in the gymnasium.

“Some but, not all,” Ward answered.

“There are a lot of candescent lights in here,” he said, nodding toward the ceiling.