Special Town Meeting in December?

Voters could be looking at a second Special Town Meeting this year, this one in December, to consider a townwide energy-saving project.

But selectmen questioned at their Tuesday night meeting whether town residents have enough time and information to make a decision on the issue.

They also noted that December is a busy time of year for people, and that a

Selectmen are considering a 20-year project that would save the town more than $250,000 a year in energy costs.

The total cost of the project would be slightly more than $7 million. The cost to taxpayers would be $216,000 a year over 20 years. This figure factors in the annual estimated savings of $256,595.

Selectman Brook Padgett said he supports the concept but questions whether residents understand it enough to make an affirmative decision.

“Are you setting yourself up to have your head handed to you?’’ he said. “I don’t know when you have time to sell it.’’

Town Administrator Timothy McInerney said he believes he can find the money within the budget to fund this. He said the years are taking their toll on the town’s older buildings and that work is urgently needed.

At the Municipal Center, for example, rain leaks into the building through the roof, soaking the carpets, which can lead to issues, he said. “We need to deal with our aging buildings,’’ he said.

Representatives from Honeywell spent months reviewing town and school buildings to determine ways to make them more energy-efficient.

Their potential energy-savings proposals include a new roof for the and a burner for the boiler and conversion to natural gas, among many other suggestions.

The deal with Honeywell would guarantee the savings. Timing is crucial, McInerney said, because the deal is only good as of now until the end of the year.

There are also deadlines to consider for a potential funding program that could be available for little or no interest.

Selectmen said the issue should not be rushed and urged the Capital Improvement Planning Committee and the Energy Committee to meet soon to continue discussing the plan and to get questions answered from Honeywell.

“Let’s not jump into this,’’ selectman John Carlson said.

Selectman advised McInerney to look at whether the Honeywell and/or the funding deadlines could be changed.

Selectman John Dowling urged the issue to continue moving forward. “We can’t lose the sense of urgency,’’ he said. “Everybody needs to keep working on this.’’

The next scheduled selectmen's meeting is Nov. 1.