The March referendum Wiscasset selectmen are eying for the school department’s proposed energy project would come too late for state rebate funds toward the project, according to Town Manager Marian Anderson’s email Jan. 18 to selectmen.

The contractor planning the $1.7 million project would need to finish part of the project by March 1, the email states. “(Town attorney) Shana Mueller spoke with the school’s counsel this afternoon. Siemens has (stated) that, in order to assure that they can complete the lighting project in time to receive the state rebates, Siemens would need to mobilize by March 1. The schedule we currently have before us, which includes a mid-late March earliest date for the referendum does not meet that.”

Selectmen’s Chairman Judy Colby said after the school and budget committees have met to make their recommendations on the project, the board will meet as soon as possible to schedule the referendum vote.