Wiscasset should move soon on seeking energy credits at a discount, Titan Energy’s Adam Teff told selectmen Dec. 21.

The program can help with electric costs without a town having to put solar panels on its buildings, Teff said. Selectmen continue to learn about a possible net energy billing plan voters nodded in November.

Over Zoom and YouTube, Teff said people tend to think of tapping solar energy from their property to cut their electric bills. With net energy billing, towns can sign up for financial credits for the energy from a private solar array anywhere in Central Maine Power territory, he said. The subscriber does not get energy from that array, he said. “There’s nothing to install ... think of this more as a financial transaction.” CMP would apply the credits to the town’s bill; and the town would pay a solar vendor for that credit, at a discount; the longer the deal a town agrees to, the bigger the discount, Teff explained.

If CMP gives the town, say, a dollar credit, and the town has agreed to pay the vendor 80 cents for that credit, the town is saving 20 cents, Teff continued. “That 20-cent spread is your savings” on electric costs, he said.

Teff said it could be “kind of a slow process” for the town to get net energy billing because CMP is sorting through solar projects that want to connect to the grid, and the state is reviewing the program’s rules. And on a question from Selectman Terry Heller, Town Manager Dennis Simmons said the town cannot subscribe to the solar project at Wiscasset Municipal Airport, because the developer has already sold all the subscriptions.

Teff said to look closely at any net energy billing proposals, to make sure the town is not signing up for more credits than it needs, and make sure the project is going to happen. He and Simmons said the town’s request for bids can help with that. Teff recommended seeking bids soon, due to high demand. Simmons said the town has $2,000 from Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission for a consultant.

Selectmen will review the information and consider their next step.

Also Dec. 21, the board agreed to have Simmons accept a $32,000 Airport Rescue Grant he said can be spent on any airport operations. “And we’ll just make those decisions as we go along,” he told selectmen. And the board agreed to have Heller work with Simmons to negotiate Maine Art Gallery’s next lease of the former Wiscasset Academy on Warren Street.

Simmons and the board are getting town workers’ thanks for tapping American Rescue Plan Act funds for one-time stipends of 6.2% of their pay for hours worked from July 1 to Nov. 27. Sewer Department Superintendent Rob Lally, operator Ray Bellefleur and technician Tony Colby wrote in a joint letter, “It was a great gesture that made us feel truly appreciated for working through the COVID pandemic. Sometimes we feel a bit invisible ... as we work away behind the scenes ... This really lifted our spirits and reminded us that you do remember our important work.”

Simmons read aloud a letter received that afternoon from two local union representatives, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers of America operations unit shop steward Robert Wolfe and support staff unit shop steward Robert MacDonald Jr. They passed along members’ thanks for the bonuses the letter said were in their Dec. 17 paychecks. 

“Being recognized for the work commitment our units continue to put forth during the pandemic is gratifying. Our members can certainly use these bonuses to ease the growing cost of living ...,” the letter stated.

PDQ Door of West Bath bid $12,400 to provide and install four overhead door openers at the fire department; Overhead Door Company of Augusta, $8,648. The town has $10,000 to spend, Simmons said. He and Fire Chief Rob Bickford will review the bids.