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Residents, dealer and council discuss possible rules for outdoor wood-burning boilers
Summary
At the Nov. 12 meeting residents and a dealer described newer EPA-certified outdoor wood boilers as low-emission options while council members raised safety, storage and neighborhood concerns; no ordinance or vote was taken.
Resident Keith Edwards introduced the topic of outdoor wood-burning boilers and asked the council to consider putting rules on the books; he said the city currently has no ordinance addressing those devices.
Craig Klavaugn, an independent dealer, described modern EPA-certified boilers as "virtual smokeless machines," saying they use about half as much wood as older models and that some units accept pellets or agricultural residues. He gave a retail range of about $8,500 to $10,000 and said roughly 22 units had been sold in the area so far this year.
Council Member Michael Yaklich asked whether seasonal limits on use would undercut consumer benefits; Craig responded that short-term uses, such as heating a pool, can still be practical. Council Member Chris Colomer raised safety and appearance concerns, asking whether the units get hot to the touch and how wood storage would be managed; Craig said the housings remain cool enough to touch and recommended a carport to keep wood dry and neat. Mayor Gary Moore asked about cost and showed interest in a demonstration; Colomer offered to arrange an operating demonstration for the council.
No ordinance or motion was introduced at the Nov. 12 meeting. The discussion served as a preliminary briefing for council members, who requested further information before any regulatory proposal would be drafted.
