RANGELEY – Franklin Saving Bank President and CEO Peter L. Judkins and Administrative Vice President Tim Thompson joined Branch Manager Leeanna Wilbur for the ceremonial groundbreaking at the site of the new branch, just southeast of the existing branch. The plan is for bank employees to move into the new building in February while exterior work continues through April.

The post and beam structure, designed by Theriault/Landman Associates of Portland, will feature geothermal heating and cooling and make use of other “green” conservation measures, such as passive solar and structural insulated panels construction.

The panels, which are used in walls and the roof, are a sandwiched core of rigid high density foam plastic insulation between two structural skins of oriented strand board, which can cut energy consumption by up to 50 percent.

At 3,638 square feet, the new branch is roomier above ground than the 33-year-old building it replaces and sports a drive-up ATM.

“I’m happy to say we’ve outgrown the existing space and will expand to meet our customer needs in Rangeley,” said Judkins.

“We are so excited,” said Wilbur. “The new branch will not only be more comfortable for bank employees to work in, but we think our customers will really love it. The new building will have a distinctly Rangeley look.”