Narragansett energy plan to save money

Narragansett energy plan to save money

$3.2M boiler will be cheaper in long run as it burns wood
Eryn Dion
News Staff Writer


TEMPLETON — The Narragansett Regional School District hopes to move forward with the installation of a biomass boiler system after a special town meeting vote later this month.

Superintendent Ruth Miller originally proposed the March 29 meeting to get the town’s approval to borrow the $3.2 million necessary to complete the project. The Board of Selectmen then made the decision to hold its meeting to solve the current budget shortfall in conjunction with the school.

While $3.2 million may seem like a hefty pricetag at a time when the town is struggling financially, Ms. Miller explained that there will be virtually no impact on taxpayers, as the money saved yearly in oil costs, as the boiler would be burning woodchips, would cover the yearly loan payments.

Documents provided by Operations Project Manager Tim Singleton of Newton-based Diversified Projects Management indicate that the annual finance payments for the project will amount to about $234,700, while the fuel savings per year is listed as $234,493.67 — a discrepancy of only a few hundred dollars.


The district has already received a $300,000 grant and has been approved for another $250,000, although the funds have not been released. The second grant was not factored into the $3.2 million project cost and could potentially lower yearly payments further.

The project would require the construction of a small addition onto the already existing boiler room near the NRSD central office and would consist of a wood chip storage room. The room would contain a self-feeding system and the chips would not need to be rotated or turned to keep from rotting. Wood chips would be delivered by the truckload several times a week and Mr. Singleton explained that trucks would arrive before 7:00 a.m. to minimize interference with school operations. The wood chips would cost an estimated $36,360 a year, according to figures provided by several suppliers in the area, and would primarily consist of wood from dead or diseased trees.

The school’s existing boilers, installed in 1998, are reaching the end of their 20-year lifespan and Ms. Miller said they have begun to break down after experiencing a considerable amount of wear during this year’s harsh winter. The cost to replace the boilers is listed at around $500,000, which does not include the cost of oil. The biomass boiler system will last the school between 20 and 30 years and will cost roughly $12,500 a year in operation and maintenance.

Ms. Miller recently presented the project to the Phillipston Board of Selectmen, who reportedly gave it their unanimous support.

An informational meeting was held Wednesday night, with Ms. Miller and the project’s team on hand to answer questions.

The school will also host a Town Hall Meeting forum to discuss both the biomass boiler project and Elementary School Building Project at 10 a.m. in the middle school cafeteria, where babysitting will be available.

The special town meeting will be held on March 29 at 10 a.m,  

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