Roof Rains On Solar Panels for Montauk Precinct

Thanks to a project coming in under budget, the town board has the option to use the leftover grant money to bring solar power to another building.

But, nothing is ever quite that simple.

As it turns out the , which was targeted for the installation of solar panels using the remaining $89,000 of a $207,000 grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority for the Lamb Building in Amagansett, needs a new roof.

Tom Ruhle, the director of the , which oversaw the project to put the panels in November, said the police precinct's current roof can't support the panels. During the bidding process, dips in the roof were found. Plus, it was discovered that the building, a former kit house built in the 1960s, doesn't have plywood under the roof.

It will cost between $15,000 and $20,000 to repair.

And, time is ticking. If the new project isn't completed by the end of March, the town has to return the money. The grant was from the federal government through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Given that the town is still reeling from a financial crisis, money isn't readily available. Rhule calcuated that a 20 year bond -- outside of being grouped with any capital projects -- would cost a little more than $1,400 per year.

"I have no funding source," Rhule said. But, he knows he can save the town approxiately $2,000 a year for energy costs at the precinct. Even without calculating the rising cost of electricity, that's more than $47,000 over 20 years.

Councilman Peter Van Scoyoc said the life expectancy of the solar panels and the roof are probably closer to 30 years.

"It's like fruit on the vine that will wither unless we eat it," he said.

Supervisor Bill Wilkinson agreed. "I know we are bare to the bones," he said, "But, can we ratchet $15,000 to do it?" He said he would consult with budget officer Len Bernard.

The board told Rhule it will discuss it further at Tuesday's work session.