The Rockport Select Board is holding a special town meeting this evening, Monday, December 5 at 6:30 p.m. at the Rockport Opera House. Its purpose is for voters to determine whether to authorize the Select Board to enter into a contract for services to provide solar energy installations that will serve town facilities.

Current state and federal solar tax credits and incentives may be captured by the town for the benefit of all residents and taxpayers, but only through partnership with a private entity, according to a news release from the town. This can be done by a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).

A PPA proposed to the Town by ReVision Energy of Liberty is available for review at the Planning and Community Development Department at the town office or by email to planner@town.rockport.me.us. If approved, this PPA would allow ReVision to install a solar energy array on the Town Office roof capable of meeting approximately 73 percent of the Town Office energy demand.

If approved, the array would be owned by ReVision and the town would be obligated to purchase the power produced. After six years, the town would be eligible to purchase the array, at the town’s option, at an appropriately scaled-down price (due to depreciation), which is provided for in the PPA. The voters are invited comment on this proposal and on the actual question of authorizing the Select Board:

“Shall the Town authorize the Select Board to negotiate and execute any and all agreements, and to take actions and execute leases and documents reasonably related thereto, necessary to facilitate solar energy installations that will serve the Town of Rockport municipal facilities?”

The meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. at the Rockport Opera House.