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Committee raises questions about geothermal costs and water‑table risks for proposed school project
Summary
Members discussed a revised letter on future fossil‑fuel installations and debated geothermal heating for a proposed school; engineers' estimates cited 79 wells with a total cost between $2.2 million and $2.75 million, and members raised groundwater‑impact concerns and requested clearer numbers before updating the letter.
At its May 13 meeting the Willington Sustainability and Energy Committee discussed the status of a revised letter to the Board of Selectmen on future fossil‑fuel installations at town facilities and considered whether to advocate for geothermal heating in the town's proposed school project.
Chair John Teehan said the school‑building committee is exploring geothermal wells and solar‑ready construction but cautioned the engineers' cost estimates are higher than expected. Teehan described an engineers' estimate that would involve roughly 79 wells and said the total cost range cited to the committee was between about $2.2 million and $2.75 million. He said an apparent per‑well figure that appears in the transcript is implausibly large and likely a transcription error and that he wants to see "real, real hard numbers" before adding additional language to the town letter.
Members also raised groundwater concerns: Teehan recounted a town that drilled several wells at once and temporarily depressed the water table for nearby households, and said contractors resolved the issue by scaling back drilling to one well per day. "When they drilled three wells at once, a lot of water came out and it did lower the water table," he said, noting that careful sequencing can prevent long‑term damage. Committee members asked staff and engineers for clearer cost and risk estimates before the committee finalizes any recommendation to the Board of Selectmen.
No formal vote on the fossil‑fuel letter or on adopting geothermal was recorded at this meeting; members left the item pending further cost information and staff follow‑up.
