Solar system for the old school house?

The loan for the roof renovation of the old Unterramsern school building was granted a year ago. The renovation is to be started in the next six months. A solar system was discussed at the community meeting.

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In December 2020, a loan of 161,000 francs was granted for the renovation of the roof of the old school building in Unterramsern. “We also talked about a solar system at this meeting. But I admit that I was no longer aware of that when it came to the invitation to today’s meeting, “said Mayor Markus Menth, apologizing to the 22 voters present. “Since the deal is not on the agenda today, we cannot officially vote on it.” But you can still discuss, says Menth.

A change of tenant enables the renovation

During the roof renovation, the top apartment in the old school building is only habitable to a limited extent. Since a change of tenant is pending, the renovation can be tackled.

«If we want to build a solar system, then now. When the roof is ready and the scaffolding removed, it doesn’t make any sense ».

It was clear to Menth that the community could set an example with a solar system and encourage others to also rely on renewable energies. The system should be amortized after around 15 years.

Most of those present agreed. “It would be interesting if you had a storage tank and you could feed the next two street lamps with electricity,” said one. Others said that the house is not ideal for a solar system. It was countered that this could not be true because a solar system was put into operation on the neighboring house.

The heating remains as usual

The electricity from the solar system would first be used by the tenants of the old school building. “In summer, for example, the hot water can be prepared.” Nothing will be changed on the heating, which is connected to a heating network.

Since no one specifically spoke out against the construction of a solar system, Menth took this as a sign to substantiate the idea and either convene an extraordinary community meeting to approve the loan or build the system and apply for a supplementary loan.

Not all posts have been filled yet

Markus Menth also drew attention to the fact that a few people were still needed to be able to occupy all of the “Pösteli”. If the community wants to remain independent, then it is important that as many as possible get involved. Otherwise Unterramsern is like other communities in Bucheggberg that are looking for merger partners.

“It hurts us that the community clerk has resigned.”

Finance manager Ruedi Ziegler briefly presented the budget for 2022. It closes with a total expenditure of 1.166 million and a total income of 1.149 million with an expenditure surplus of 16,911 francs. The net investment is CHF 260,000. A loan of 140,000 francs was granted in advance for the rehabilitation of the Fettalweg, which looks “bad” after the storms in summer.

Assets in special finance

The water supply and wastewater disposal would show a surplus of expenditure for the coming year. According to Ziegler, this is not a problem because you have a fortune that you can draw on. When it comes to waste disposal, there is a plus. “We had to increase the fees there years ago. In the meantime we have amassed money here again and can consider whether we should adjust the fees. “

The budget with a tax rate of 105 points for natural persons and 90 points for legal persons was unanimously approved. Likewise the concession agreement with Elektra Jegenstorf.

Two councils passed

Markus Menth finally said goodbye to Jürg Gurtner, who had been in office as a councilor for eight years and also had a lot of work to do as the President of the Building Commission. The second to say goodbye was Bernhard Kubalek. He was a local councilor for one legislature and campaigned primarily in the area of ​​children and family, but also for traffic calming measures. “Despite his resignation in the local council, he will continue to carry out some tasks for the community,” Menth thanked him.