Preston - Residents will be asked to vote on several items at a town meeting Thursday, including ordinances to expand bidding options, allow members of other town boards and town employees to serve on the Ethics Commission and to join a low-cost loan program to assist local businesses with energy projects.

The town meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Town Hall, 389 Route 2.

First Selectman Robert Congdon said changing the bid ordinance language would eliminate an unforeseen restriction that currently prohibits the town from joining in on state or regional bid opportunities, which provide savings through bulk purchases. While the town ordinance currently restricts the practice, Congdon said the town has used the state and sometimes Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments bulk bid advertisements to save money.

The existing town ordinance also contains narrow language on hiring professional services, such as architects, attorneys or engineers. The ordinance allows the town to solicit prices for individual professionals in these fields, but doesn't include firms. Many professional services are now done through firms, Congdon said.

Another agenda item would allow the town to participate in the Connecticut Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE), a program run by the Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority. The program offers loans to businesses and nonprofit entities - such as churches and YMCAs - to finance 100 percent of the cost of energy upgrade projects.

The loan payments, typically at 5 to 6 percent interest, are paid back through a method akin to a sewer assessment lien on the property. The energy assessment lien would be charged to the loan recipient and would appear on the tax bill, with the payment going to the town. The town tax collector then would send the payment to C-PACE.

The Board of Selectmen heard a presentation on the program in September. Town & Country Greenhouses on Route 2A expressed interest in obtaining a loan to install solar panels through C-PACE.

The town Ethics Commission also sought assistance with its shrinking membership and difficulty recruiting new members. The current ordinance prohibits members of any commission, board or agency or town employees from serving on the Ethics Commission. The proposed revision would allow members of other agencies to serve on the Ethics Commission, but would require them to recuse themselves if a complaint is filed against that agency or town department.

Another item on the agenda would allow the town to keep excess tax payments that are less than $5. Currently, the Board of Selectmen receives a list of tax overpayments and votes to approve reimbursements for even small amounts.

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