Saland Announces Energy Grant For Town Of Germantown

Senator Steve Saland (R,I,C Poughkeepsie) today joined Germantown Supervisor Roy Brown in announcing that the New York State Senate has helped the Town obtain a disbursement of $70,825 from the New York Power Authority Petroleum Overcharge Restitution Fund to help the reduce energy costs at four town buildings.

The New York Power Authority (NYPA) conducted an audit of a number of municipal buildings, including the town hall, town garage, community activities building, maintenance shop, beach house, sewer plant and parsonage, in order to help the Town identify ways to implement energy conservation measures. The audit found a number of ways the Town could save significant dollars in energy costs. The grant from NYPA will help with the costs of boiler replacements, window and door replacements and new thermostats in four of the buildings, which should provide significant energy savings for the Town.

“Local governments are seeing their normal operating costs skyrocket each year and these costs get passed on to local property taxpayers,” said Senator Saland. “Anything that municipalities can do to reduce costs will help to reduce the tax burden. I am extremely pleased the State Senate was able to help Germantown be successful in receiving this grant to implement measures that will save energy and save taxpayer dollars.”

Germantown Supervisor Roy Brown said, “When we learned of the available energy audit last year, the town board saw a potential opportunity to save the residents of Germantown tax dollars and promote energy conservation based on our initial meeting with the New York Power Authority. The audit process began last summer before the energy crisis occurred last fall which really put us ahead of other municipalities and communities that began looking at their energy expenses after the oil crisis began. The $70,825.00 and recommendations in the audit by the NYPA, will begin saving the town hundreds of dollars a year on energy costs beginning this year. Thanks to Senator Steve Saland and his staff along with Assemblyman Pete Lopez and his staff, for guiding Germantown towards these available programs. I can’t begin to express my appreciation for all the hard work these two men and their staff do for Germantown and how responsive they are to our needs.???

"Promoting energy conservation and alternative energy projects is one of my top priorities," said Assemblyman Peter D. Lopez(R,I,C Schoharie). "This 5-month process gives the Town of Germantown increased opportunity to become more energy efficient. I'd like to thank NYPA and Senator Saland for their work in helping obtain this grant."

Senator Saland, Supervisor Brown and Assemblyman Lopez will hold at a press conference on Monday, March 23, 2009 to announce the grant. Representatives of NYPA have also been invited. The event will be at 11:45 AM at the Germantown Town Hall, 50 Palatine Park Road in Germantown.