Engineering study finds Westerly school bus depot is a legally nonconforming use in wellhead protection area; council orders site search and coordination with —

Parr Corporation presented a concept‑level study to the Westerly Town Council May 4 that evaluated the town’s school bus depot at 8 Spring Brook Road and its relation to water‑supply protection zones. Brandon Blanchard, vice president at Parr, said the depot "is within the wellhead production area" and within the town’s aquifer protection overlay; Parr characterized the existing depot as a legally nonconforming use under local ordinance.

The study presented two paths: bring the current site into compliance with industrial stormwater and spill‑containment best practices (recommended measures included full repaving, installation of deep‑sump catch basins and hoods, regrading to direct runoff to specific catch basins, roof containment at refueling/maintenance areas and limited fire‑suppression improvements), or relocate the depot to land outside the aquifer protection overlays. Parr noted relocation was more protective but outside the study’s scope because identifying and vetting an alternate site was not part of their assignment.

Council discussion focused heavily on electric‑vehicle (EV) buses. Councilor Van Dover said EVs present a different firefighting and runoff profile and pressed for more EV‑specific analysis; Parr replied that current Rhode Island Department of Health rules and the town zoning ordinance do not distinguish between EV and petroleum‑fueled bus depots and that the study addressed the depot as a vehicle storage site while including conceptual measures relevant to EVs. The consultants emphasized a need for design‑level work and coordination with fire and public‑safety staff to size containment and emergency plans.

Cost and timing were central concerns. Councilors heard that estimated upgrades could be on the order of three‑quarters of a million dollars for repaving and drainage, while relocation would require higher capital outlay and multi‑year site work. The school committee has $550,000 budgeted toward improvements; councilors directed the town manager to coordinate with planning staff and the planning board to identify potential alternative sites and to return with findings and next steps.

Council action: an amended referral passed directing the town manager to work with town staff and the planning board on alternative site locations and parameters; any shift or construction would require further design, permitting and coordination with DEM/DOH and public safety.