Carlisle Climate Panel Votes to Push Geothermal Network at Former MCI Prison Site

CARLISLE — June 10, 2026 — Carlisle's Climate Action Committee unanimously endorsed a resolution urging geothermal ground-source energy infrastructure at the former MCI Concord prison site. The resolution, drafted on the spot by a committee member identified as Fran, calls on participants in planning and zoning for the MCI and adjacent sites to prioritize analysis, recommendation, and requirement of geothermal wells, boreholes, and thermal energy piping serving future building owners and tenants, along with energy recovery and storage. Members said the move was driven by concern that the architectural firm leading the week-long MCI planning intensive, headed by Chris Dobson, would not incorporate thermal energy systems unless the town made an explicit formal request. The committee also voted unanimously to authorize two members, Fran and Shelly, to speak before the School Committee on June 16 and the Select Board on June 22 in support of adopting the town's decarbonization roadmap — a requirement for Carlisle to apply for state Climate Leader status before a June 30 deadline. Deputy Town Manager Megan reported that a $50,000 MVP 2.0 resilience planning contract with Weston and Sampson is expected to be signed by week's end, and that a new intern, Lucy, a University of Vermont undergraduate and Carlisle resident, is joining to support the work.