CARIBOU, Maine — Aroostook County Commissioners on March 19 approved replacing the heating and air conditioning system at the Caribou courthouse as well as a fleet management agreement with Enterprise for the county’s vehicles.
The overall cost to replace the courthouse’s HVAC system will be roughly $1.2 million, paid over the course of 10 years for roughly $175,000 annually. This includes demolition and removal of existing equipment and installation of a new rooftop air condensing unit and refrigerant piping.
The project also includes new supply and return ductwork, six new variable air volume boxes with steam heating coils, new insulated steam and condensate piping, and includes all the engineering and project management costs, according to meeting materials.
The upgrades are long overdue at the courthouse, County Administrator Ryan Pelletier said.
“The original building was built in the 1800s. The expansion of the half of the building for the district court was done in the mid-1970s, so even the newest part of this building is 50 years old,” he said. “It’s just time.”
The building has had major air handling and air cooling issues that have gotten worse each year, he said.
Honeywell will do the work, and construction will be lengthy.
“It will probably start soon, in April, and we’re expecting that the project will continue throughout the summer and hopefully be online by the end of September,” Pelletier said.
Commissioners also approved a fleet management agreement with Enterprise. This will also begin in the spring.
“Instead of purchasing our vehicles, we will enroll in this fleet program with Enterprise,” Pelletier said. “So we will be leasing our vehicles, and at the end of the lease, turn them in and get new ones.”
The plan is expected to save the county roughly $200,000 a year, with an estimated 10-year savings of $2,143,545 and total unrealized equity of $401,272. An analysis provided to commissioners said it would also lower the average age of the fleet, and that new vehicles have significantly lower maintenance expenses as well as increased fuel efficiency.
Commissioners also approved a short-term add-on contract with Patten Ambulance Service for $9,000 to cover the communities of the townships of North Yarmouth Academy Grant, T1R4 and T1R5. The term is from May 1 until Dec. 31 of this year.
