LIVERMORE FALLS — Selectmen agreed Tuesday to look at a revolving-loan program that would help property owners make their homes become more energy efficient and weatherized.
Town Manager Kristal Flagg said she has had requests from two residents in regard to the Property Assessed Clean Energy program put on by the state’s Efficiency Maine agency.
The program allows eligible homeowners to borrow a maximum of $15,000 over a 15-year period to invest in energy-saving solutions for their homes, according to Efficiency Maine’s website, www.efficiencymaine.com.
There are also shorter-term loans available.
“An eligible energy saving improvement is a measure to improve the energy efficiency of a home. Common examples include insulation, air sealing (foam and caulk), heating system upgrades, efficient hot water heaters, and better controls and thermostats for furnaces and boilers,” according to the website.
In order for residents to apply for the program, the town would have to adopt an ordinance, Flagg said.
The ordinance would go on the June annual town meeting warrant, if selectmen are interested in participating in the program, she said.
The town could administer the local program or do as the town of Fayette does and let the agency administer the loans, she said.
If a property owner receives a loan, the loan follows the property, select board Chairman Bill Demaray said.
According to Efficiency Maine’s website, a person selling a home that has a PACE loan on it could either pay off the loan before the property is sold or have the loan follow the property.
Flagg said the town would have no liability to the agency or the homeowner. If the property becomes tax-acquired through the lien process, she said, the town would not be responsible to repay the PACE loan.
“I think we need to get more information and see if we want to put it on the June warrant and let the people decide,” Demaray said.
There currently is one citizen who would like to participate in the program but can’t because the town doesn’t have an ordinance that would allow him to do so, Flagg said.
In other business, selectmen voted to accept a $1,000 donation for the Police Department from an anonymous donor. The donor gives money annually to the department.
dperry@sunjournal.com
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