Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
School committee approves geothermal test well after life‑cycle analysis highlights tradeoffs
Summary
After a detailed life‑cycle cost analysis comparing geothermal, hybrid, all‑air and gas systems for the new Pollard Middle School, the School Building Committee approved a $102,316 change order to drill a geothermal test well and gather subsurface data that will inform final heating/cooling design.
The Town of Needham’s School Building Committee voted March 23 to authorize a change order to drill a geothermal test bore and perform geotechnical oversight after hearing a life‑cycle cost analysis (LCCA) that framed the town’s options for heating and cooling the new Pollard Middle School.
“The chair will move that the committee approve the change order by Bond Building Construction in the amount of $102,316,” Chair Richard Green said before the committee approved the measure by roll call. The funds will come from the general contractor’s budget, the committee was told.
Consultants presented four principal mechanical options: a full ground‑source heat‑pump system (geothermal wells), a hybrid ground/air arrangement, an air‑source heat‑pump approach and a high‑efficiency gas‑boiler/chiller…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
