EAGLE RIVER - In addition to several structural repairs slated at the Keweenaw County Courthouse and grounds this summer, the Keweenaw County Board of Commissioners may also explore an energy project.
Dick Williams, a representative of downstate Honeywell Corporation, attended the regular meeting of the commissioners Wednesday in Eagle River and presented several findings for an energy project at the courthouse and grounds, including the sheriff's office next door.
"We've done over 5,000 contracts with state or local government projects like this, (with) some as close to you as the city of Houghton," Williams said.
Article Photos
Stacey Kukkonen/Daily Mining Gazette
Dick Williams, a representative of Honeywell Corporation, presents to the Keweenaw County Board of Commissioners Wednesday in Eagle River. The board is deciding whether to move forward with an energy project at the courthouse and grounds.
If the county were to move forward with Honeywell, projects would include replacing indoor lighting systems with new designs in buildings, replacing dual oil boilers with energy-efficient boilers, tuning up and replacing building envelope systems (cracks and gaps where the roof and walls meet) and replacing aging heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment.
"The amount of energy savings we're projecting over the next 15 years that we can create helps you get about $156,000 worth of improvements free," he said. "If you don't do this project, you'll spend $156,000 more over the next 15 years, giving it to your utility companies."
Williams said government entities have pressures with state revenue sharing and tax revenues declining while trying to maintain public services and personal property tax revenues. Meanwhile, energy costs are increasing. The county is having issues with the boilers at the jail, window and door leaks and lighting.
"We want to focus on the issues," he said.
Williams showed some existing conditions in the courthouse with a series of pictures showing air exfiltration through the attic hatch and a crawl space with no insulation. At the jail, Williams showed a series of pictures of the boilers and said there are no air barriers between the existing building and new building.
Chair Ernest Mooney assigned commissioners Don Piche and Del Rajala to a committee to further explore the project and come back to the board with a recommendation.
In other news, the board:
heard the board has $45,000 for the courthouse repair project.
approved a portable toilet at the mouth of the Gratiot River.
reappointed Barbara Foley to the County Jury Commission, expiring in April 2018.
approved Keweenaw Mountain Lodge policies.
increased the mileage rate to $0.55 per mile.