Town Manager's Monthly Report, delivered at the Town Council Meeting of January 9, 2023.

As the calendar has turned to welcome 2023, a new year with many opportunities begins.

At last month’s council meeting, the council approved the manager to sign the amended energy contract with encore renewables for the solar installation at the recycling facility. With the assistance of Attorney David Littell on the amendments, encore agreed to the revisions to the amendments and the document was completed on December 13. On January 3, the project was presented by encore renewables to the Planning Board. The next step for the project will be to begin its review at the February regular Planning Board meeting on February 21, 2023.

On the Thursday before Christmas the museum at Portland Head Light and the keeper’s quarters sustained damages due to wind driven waves, heavy winds and rain. The strength of the storm and the damages required us to close the park to the public for the remainder of the day. Damages to the museum and the keeper’s quarters were to the interior carpeting, windows, a door, the bell structure, and some hardscaping installed over the past two years. The damages have been assessed by our insurance provider and our claim is currently in process. Additionally, for the items not covered by our insurance provider, we are prepared to pursue FEMA funding in the event that a disaster is declared. Our plan is to have the repairs of the museum and keeper’s quarters completed by the start of the season.

As you are also aware, during Christmas weekend the Community Services building sustained a

significant amount of water damage due to a ruptured heating element. Again, we are working with our insurance company on the claim, and the demolition work is completed and plans are underway for the repairs. It is anticipated that the facility will be out of service for the next sixty days, while the section housing our offices and Cape Care preschool are unharmed. A majority of the programming has relocated to other municipal facilities so that may continue.

Finally, all departments are working on the Fiscal Year 2024 operational budgets in alignment with the annual process detailed in December.

Respectfully submitted,

Matthew E. Sturgis

Town Manager