WILTON — The Wilton Select Board voted Tuesday, Apri 4, to sign a resolution with Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments [AVCOG] over their compliance in completing the necessary steps involved with enrollment in the Community Resiliency Partnership [CRP] program.
The partnership was announced in November of last year, with AVCOG collaborating with five towns to help them gain access to no-match grants worth up to $50,000 for resiliency projects. Wilton, along with Rangeley, Kingfield, Philips, and Eustis, were chosen for the program.
Zach Gosselin, environmental and resiliency coordinator for AVCOG, appeared before the select board on Dec. 6 of last year to discuss the next steps Wilton needed to take in the process. Three steps were needed to move on to the next phase.
These steps involved Gosselin’s informational meeting, the passing of a resolution [Dec. 6] and a self-evaluation of town ordinances and reports. A community engagement workshop took place on Feb. 21, which allowed members of the community to provide feedback and input into what types of resiliency projects they felt were needed.
In the resolution presented on April 4, several projects were listed, and they are as follows:
• The town is prepared to adopt and execute a plan for energy efficiency and building envelope weatherization improvements for municipal buildings, collaborate with local school district for school building improvements.
• Upgrade to energy efficient appliances at municipal buildings.
• Install a heat pump system, or VRF [Variable Refrigerant Flow] system for heating and cooling and heat pump, water heating at municipal buildings.
• Develop a natural resource and habitat inventory that includes climate stressors and impacts.
• Update the local and county EMA [Emergency Management Agency] hazard mitigation plan to address changing and future conditions and identify specific strategies to reduce vulnerability and increase resilience to climate change impact.
• Enroll in the NFIP’s [National Flood Insurance Program] community rating system [CRS] at class nine or better, reducing flood insurance premiums for community residents.
The resolution also designates Town Manager Perry Ellsworth to coordinate planning, implement and monitor of energy and resilience projects, and to be the primary point of contact to the [CRP].
“I just would like to say that we tried to hit everything that was on the list in some fashion because we can apply for [$50,000] now and then there’ll be other opportunities to apply again,” Ellsworth stated to the board. “So, we tried to make sure that we did everything that we had heard at this table and from the community.”
Once enrolled in the CRP program, participants will have four opportunities to apply for no-match grants worth up to $50,000 for a duration of two-years. At the end of the two years, Wilton will be able to re-enroll in the program for four additional chances at grant applications.
Selectperson Mike Wells, who was present at the meeting via Zoom, added a cautionary warning to the Select Board before the resolution was passed.
“After doing a little research on this community resiliency program,” Well stated, “It’s giving away autonomy of the town, and you’re signing up for a program which is going to hold you accountable for your carbon footprint in future. Not a bad thing. If you’re you know if that’s all you want, but it takes away autonomy from the town.
“This isn’t just a Maine state program. This is a national program. Just something to be aware of.”
After no further comment or discussion, the board voted 4 to 1 in favor of signing the resolution, with Wells voting against it.
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