MAPLETON, Maine — A solar energy credit program could mean $17,000 in annual savings each for Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill.
The towns could see their utility bills reduced if they approve a contract with the St. Paul, Minnesota-based Novel Energy Solutions, LLC.
Members of the three towns’ select boards discussed the proposal during a joint meeting Tuesday. Novel Energy will soon construct a solar energy farm on Hughes Road in Mapleton and has been reaching out to local municipalities and businesses.
If the towns sign a contract with the company, they would purchase solar energy credits that would reduce their monthly utility bills, Town Manager Sandra Fournier said. All three towns, who share municipal expenses under an interlocal agreement, could see utility bill savings of around $17,000 annually.
“We would essentially be purchasing energy credits from Novel and [those credits] would show up on our electric bill as a discount,” Fournier said. “Whatever amount is left over after that discount, the towns would pay.”
Though Novel Energy has proposed a 10-year contract with the three towns, the select boards opted to table approving the contract due to potential conflicts with their voting processes.
Per the towns’ interlocal agreement and state statutory laws, residents of Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill cannot approve contracts of no more than three years. Local voters must approve the Novel Energy contract during their annual meetings in March or a special town meeting.
Fournier said even if one town voted against the contract, then an agreement with Novel Energy would not be possible. As of now, the select boards have not discussed the possibility of a special town meeting due to pending negotiations with Novel Energy.
In other business, Fournier and select board members discussed each town’s allocation of American Rescue Plan Act funds. Thus far the towns have received 50 percent of their expected funds, with Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill receiving $193,669, $46,999 and $41,507, respectively.
Though the towns have not yet allocated funds toward specific projects, the ARPA allows them to spend money on qualified projects related to public health, infrastructure improvements and addressing negative economic impacts of COVID.
They will also use funds to provide premium pay for employees who worked throughout the pandemic, cover revenue loss and address administrative expenses.
