The Wiscasset School Department’s energy project will end up saving more than it costs in taxes, the town’s budget committee determined Friday night. How much more and how soon were still being figured, however, as comments from school officials added to the information members had compiled. 

Reviewing the numbers, committee members said the savings the lease-purchase deal yields will surpass the town’s payments both on a yearly and net basis, but not at first, for either.

After hearing from the school department’s facilities and transportation director John Merry, who also serves on the budget panel, fellow member William Laliberte said the information would lower the projected maintenance costs. Merry expected the 2,000 new LED light fixtures that are part of the project will have a seven-year warranty. And he said a few other school departments he checked with have had them more than a decade and have never had to replace them.

The department went with Siemens of Scarborough as the contractor. Budget committee member Mackenzie Riley asked if other vendors had also been considered. Three applicants were interviewed, Merry said. Siemens was picked over the others for its experience in schools and its resources, which he described as endless; Siemens is the department’s mechanical services contractor, Merry added. “We just felt they were the best fit for the project.”

School Committee Chairman Michael Dunn said if the bank will go along with it, the department will make quarterly payments. Those would work best with the department’s cash flow and save the most money, he said.

Approximately $90,000 in one-time energy rebates will go toward paying down the loan, possibly being tapped for the first payments, Dunn said. The rebates will not be used for anything else, he said.

School Committee Vice Chairman Glen Craig said the department plans to meet the payments without cuts in curriculum. Growth in pre-kindergarten and other programs may add to the department’s coffers, he added. “Our revenue’s hopefully going to go up quite a bit, because that’s our focus.”

In a majority vote Jan. 20, the budget committee recommended residents pass the project. On Jan. 26, the school committee said its unanimous re-authorization made a town vote unnecessary. The budget committee’s monthly meeting Feb. 3 fell less than a week before the first selectmen’s meeting since the school committee’s action.

Craig told the budget committee Friday, its support was humbling and rewarding.

The committee meets next at 6 p.m., March 3, in the municipal building.