Grant funds targeted for upcoming project

Money awarded by NOPEC designated for new front door, entrance with energy-efficient glass

Perry Village has decided how to use an energy-efficiency grant received from Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council.

Perry Village has decided how to use an energy-efficiency grant that it received from the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council. The $4,818 NOPEC Energized Community Grant has been earmarked for replacing the glass door and bordering glass panels that lead into a vestibule at the front entrance to Village Hall at 3758 Center Road.

“We’re going to start getting some estimates on it,” Mayor James Gessic said, regarding the project.

Village Council, at its May 14 meeting, approved resolutions authorizing Gessic to accept the grant and spend that funding once it’s received.

Gessic said Village Hall’s front door is in poor condition and needs to be replaced. With the grant money, the village hopes to install a door and bordering panels with energy efficient glass.

Perry Village received the grant because it is community member of the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council.

NOPEC is a provider of energy aggregation programs for communities throughout Ohio. The organization uses the principle of buying in bulk to get lower rates on electricity and natural gas for its group of members than those members could receive individually.

Perry Village has been a NOPEC electric and gas community since 2009. NOPEC Energized Community Grants are awarded to help towns implement energy savings or energy infrastructure measures. The grants can be used for government facilities, businesses or residents. In addition to energy-efficient windows, examples of eligible projects include LED lighting upgrades, insulation and generators.

Perry Village Council held its May 14 meeting as an in-person gathering at Perry Community Center in Perry Township. This diverted from the recent trend of many other government entities conducting meetings remotely through video and audio conferencing.

The large event room at the center made it possible for village government council and administrators and audience members to abide by state guidelines for social distancing. Besides the village government leaders, only two other people — both news reporters — attended the meeting.