PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Presque Isle councilors approved upgrades to The Forum’s heating and ventilation systems and heard updates regarding City Hall renovations during their most recent meeting.
Recreation and parks director Gene Cronin presented quotes from Presque Isle-based Mechanical Services during the Wednesday, July 7, meeting. Costs to repair the heating and ventilation systems in The Forum are estimated to be $361,460 and $141,883, respectively.
Although Cronin’s original memo to the council recommended replacing the air conditioning and dehumidification units, priced at $325,000 and $249,770, respectively, the council opted to only approve the heating and ventilation systems due to cost concerns. They also decided not to replace the building’s insulation and siding due to that project’s total cost estimate of $178,010.
Prior to the vote, Councilor Jeff Willette encouraged the council to consider investing in all aspects of The Forum’s energy systems sooner rather than later.
“It’s a lot of money to spend, but I think we would see a boost in our energy savings,” Willette said. “I’d hate to see that building be neglected.”
All six councilors voted unanimously on the repairs to The Forum. Councilor Doug Cyr was absent from Wednesday’s meeting.
The council also received a brief update regarding construction at City Hall. Councilor Mike Chasse, who is part of the city hall improvement committee, said that city officials met with engineers and contractors to review repairs made to the first floor.
Recently, the first floor repairs caused city clerk staff to relocate to The Forum for the time being. Chasse said that the renovations are on schedule.
“I think there will be a push to get staff back in the building soon,” he said.
City assessor Lewis Cousins noted that the plumbing necessary to install new heat pumps on the first floor has been completed. Engineers and contractors expect to begin work on the second floor of City Hall within the next month.
