LCOC presents plan’s cost-savings

Emotions ran high at times during a public meeting at the Lubec Consolidated School on Monday, April 1. The focus of the nearly two-hour long meeting, which was hosted by the Lubec Community Outreach Center (LCOC), was to present the findings of an energy audit of the school that the group had arranged for earlier this year. The LCOC is proposing to utilize the currently closed high school wing for a variety of community programs. Another meeting to further discuss those options is set for Monday, April 22, at 6 p.m. at the school.
At the April 1 meeting, Rob Chaffee, a member of the LCOC board, presented the audit findings for the approximately 35 residents present. According to Chaffee and a handout given to those attending, the audit included fuel cost figures for three options at the school. Option A is to keep the existing situation with the elementary school, gym, cafeteria area and the unused high school wing with an annual fuel cost of $64,900, based on usage of 18,550 gallons at $3.50 per gallon. Option B includes the first three areas but without the high school wing and would provide a cost reduction of 27% or 13,542 gallons for a cost of $47,400. However, the cost of removing the high school is estimated to be from $60,000 to $100,000 or possibly more, as mentioned that evening. Option -- includes all the current areas of the school with the high school wing being used for community service. This option would mean a 53% reduction in fuel costs, so the fuel cost for the town is estimated at $30,800. The LCOC would bear the cost for heating the former high school wing. The latter option includes a "self-supporting community service center" located in the high school area that could "result in significant cost saving to the town" through "relatively minor energy efficiency improvements," with the "cost of some being borne by the service center," as noted in the handout. Figures were based on the 2011-2012 school year.
The LCOC presented the idea that Lubec would realize the most cost savings not by demolishing the former high school but by using it to provide services to the community. Opponents of the plan stated they believe that taxpayer money would be used in some circumstances, although Cathy Arrington, speaking for the LCOC, said, "We don't expect taxpayers to pay for any of this." To a question from Selectman James Jones regarding insurance "for public programs connected to a school," Arrington answered, "We have liability insurance now, for summer rec and the after-school program. As programs are added, we would change the liability insurance."
Questions also were raised as to fuel costs when the high school was open. It was pointed out that the high school end of the building has had no recent maintenance. In another reference to maintenance, Frank Theriault Jr. said that there has been a "lack of preventive maintenance" in the building and that contributed to some of the high heating costs. It was noted that there has been no maintenance person employed by the school for a number of years.
The LCOC notified the school board and the board of selectmen of their plans to hold the meeting in a letter dated March 27. In addition to the options related to fuel costs, the letter also explained that the LCOC is currently identifying programs to serve the townspeople. Some of the stated community service activities being considered include: working with youth, teens, adults and seniors; continuation of existing youth programs, after-school and summer recreation; a daycare; a food pantry; nutrition classes and dinners; food resources; home energy improvement help; development of trade skills; an arts resource; continuing education; a senior center; a thrift shop; housing; micro-enterprise; and communications.
In addition, the LCOC proposed that they "enter into a long-term lease agreement to take responsibility for the high school [portion of the building]. ... The [LCOC] would also assume responsibility for implementing improvements to building security and energy efficiency [estimated entire cost of $40,000]." If an agreement is reached, LCOC expects that "community service operations at the high school wing would begin prior to the start of the next heating season."
The letter from the LCOC was signed by its board of directors: Cathy Arrington, David Gage, Heather Henry, Jane Chute, Julie Brown, Liz Alley, Melissa Lee, Rob Chaffee and Sara McConnell.
Those attending the meeting noted in particular the need for a daycare, with Heather Henry stating that some of her employees are obliged to bring their children to work with them. There was also some discussion about a location for a food pantry, with disagreement regarding how long the Whiting Food Pantry would remain at the Three Angels Church in Whiting. Selectman James Jones said he had been told that it would stay in Whiting. Cathy Arrington countered, saying, "They will keep it in Whiting until we can find a space [in Lubec]."
Youth programs were another concern. Arrington asked Sara McConnell to relate comments from seventh and eighth grade students who had said, "We should map out the empty buildings and what we could have there," and that "people don't care." David Gage responded by saying, "A community is judged by how it cares for its youth. ... We need to be proactive." Dick Hoyt said it would be the Christian thing to do to agree to the proposal. To that Jones declared, "I am a Christian." He later added that he felt a parental support group would be a benefit. One taxpayer noted, "I would not have a problem with taxes going down to support these wonderful programs." Others indicated agreement.
The LCOC's summer recreation program recently gained some financial support. After an application was filed last December, the LCOC received word on April 5 that it has been awarded $25,000 from the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation for the summer rec program.