Kanosh leaders weigh 3-phase underground power, costs for new well project

Kanosh officials spent substantial time discussing options to deliver electric service for the town’s new well and spring pipeline project, focusing on whether to pursue 3-phase power and whether to install the line overhead or underground.

Project representatives said an overhead 3-phase conversion with pole replacement would cost the town on the order of several hundred thousand dollars. Underground construction estimates were substantially larger: a construction figure was cited in the transcript as about $2,240,006.41 for underground construction, with an additional trenching/boring figure of $65,008.30 referenced; the transcript contained an unclear total that participants read aloud. Council members and staff discussed whether trenching and conduit work could be split, whether the town could perform some trenching itself to lower costs, and whether to include conduit for fiber or other utilities while trenching.

Supporters of going underground argued that the higher upfront cost would avoid repeated pole replacements and overhead maintenance in the future. One presenter said underground lines make future repairs simpler because conductors can be pulled through conduit rather than replacing poles and overhead wire. Opponents or cautious councilmembers raised the near-term budget impact and noted that rural development funding and a potential $100,000 contribution for the distribution line purchase could offset some of the cost. Town staff estimated the town’s cash on hand at just over $700,000 and said paying the incremental cost for underground construction could represent roughly 20–30% of available funds, depending on final bids and whether external funding was increased.

Council members discussed easements and right-of-way issues along the existing route, noting the need to prove recorded easements or right-of-way for any improvements funded by rural development loans. They also discussed the number of existing poles that need replacement now (cited as roughly 38 poles at about $1,500 each, or approximately $57,000) and whether the town should front additional cost now to avoid larger costs later.

Engineers and staff said they could switch the building equipment to accommodate 3-phase and proceed with design if the council committed to the 3-phase path. No formal vote to fund a 3-phase underground installation was recorded; staff indicated they would proceed with engineering work if given direction to pursue 3-phase power. Council members also discussed coordinating trenching with fiber providers to share excavation costs and the requirement to maintain separation between power and communications conduits.

The discussion concluded with staff asking for direction on whether to request additional funding from the rural development lender if bid results exceeded estimates, and whether the town would prefer to pay the overage from town funds to avoid increasing loan amounts and interest costs. No final funding decision was recorded in the transcript; staff said they would analyze numbers and return with comparisons.