LIVERMORE FALLS — A public forum will be held on Aug. 20 to get input on potential state funding to assist with community resiliency projects. The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the Livermore Falls Town Office prior to the regularly scheduled Select Board meeting.

At the July 16 board meeting, Town Manager Carrie Castonguay was directed to work with Zach Gosselin, sustainability coordinator for Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments [AVCOG] on the grant program for which matching funds are not required. Community Resiliency Partnership [CRP], which has been funded in the supplemental budget provides up to $50,000 for resiliency projects, Gosselin said then. “There is a $125,000 no match grant if you work with two or more communities,” he noted.

Jay held a similar public workshop regarding CRP funding in July 2022, according to an article in the Sun Journal. That December the Sun Journal reported a $50,000 grant was conditionally approved for possible insulation on the Town Office/Police Department building.

Selectmen were told in July CRP requires two self evaluations and holding a public meeting to receive feedback. “The evaluation shares what your community is doing well, areas that can be improved in the short term, etc.,” Gosselin said. “Those are the kind of questions that will guide the community from the workshop.”

There are a wide variety of potential projects from heat pump installation to environmental assessments to increasing the overall building envelope and window upgrades, Gosselin shared in July. He said part of the effort is to minimize risk and exposure to hazards, things pretty standard in an emergency management plan. It would be specifically targeted towards Livermore Falls, he stated.

In July Castonguay identified more efficient heating/cooling system and window replacements at the town office, window and LED lighting as potential projects.

Gosselin will include ideas from the community meeting in the final draft of the grant application.

Community members, businesses, anyone who would like to participate may fill out an evaluation,” Castonguay stated Aug. 6.

On Thursday, Aug. 8, Town Clerk Doris Allen said copies of the evaluation would be available at the town office  Aug. 12. They need to be returned by Aug. 15 to have time to compile the results before the Aug. 20 meeting, she noted.

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