OTISFIELD — The Resiliency Committee in Otisfield is holding an energy fair Saturday morning at the Community Hall at 292 State Route 121. The hall will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission is free and open to all, and complimentary ice cream will be served.

Committee Chairwoman Maureen Howard told selectmen at their July 16 meeting that 10-12 vendors will be on hand to educate people on energy efficiencies in their homes and converting to renewable energy sources.

Community Concepts and the Center for an Ecology-Based Economy are a couple of the exhibiting organizations. Businesses include Acadia Insulation and Maine Solar Solutions. Residents can also learn more about Otisfield’s community solar program, which will provide discounted customer rates according to income levels.

Howard also updated the board on the Resiliency Committee’s four major projects, all being undertaken with state grants totaling $230,000.

With the first grant for $46,995, Otisfield has installed heat pumps at the Town Office. The committee also updated informational brochures on best practices for protecting surrounding watersheds.

The second grant, for $30,100, was used to conduct energy audits and develop solar plans for all town-owned buildings, create a pollinator sanctuary at the Otisfield Community School and institute improvements to Otisfield’s emergency heating and cooling programs.

A grant for $74,755 is being used to upgrade the electrical systems, including generator, at the town’s fire stations, and also install higher efficiency insulation, heat pumps and dehumidifiers.

The fourth state grant of $100,000 is going toward further energy improvements at Community Hall, the transfer station and town garage. Plans include upgrading to more efficient hot water tanks, adding heat pumps and installing new insulation.

A separate $100,000 federal grant will be tapped to convert Town Office to solar energy and further implement other renewable energy projects.

Peter Tilkemeier of the Conservation Committee reported on several town projects, including community forest management, waterway surveys and assessments and expansion of walking trails on public lands. Selectmen encouraged Howard and Tilkemeier to look at partnering on projects and grant opportunities.

In other business, the board clarified for Fire Chief Kyle Jordan the process for disposing of old equipment. At the center of the discussion was the Fire Department’s Engine 1, which will be replaced with a new truck before the end of the year. The equipment on the older engine will be refitted onto the new one, but there has been debate whether Engine 1 should remain part of the fleet or be sold off.

Jordan reported that even though it is an active truck Engine 1 is often not put into service during fire calls. In the past it was loaned to Harrison during a stop gap period when its fire department was down two trucks.

The cost to outfit and continue maintaining and testing a fourth vehicle would be unbudgeted and could increase expenses by up to 25%.

Once the new engine has had its apparatus installed and goes into service, selectmen agreed it will be up to Jordan to assess if it will be beneficial to hold onto Engine 1 for the short term, if neighboring towns may have interest or whether to sell it, either wholesale or by bid.

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to reflect that Efficiency Maine will not participate in the fair.