Fire panel votes to drop geothermal heat study

Fire Station Building Committee · Meeting of October 22, 2026

BOXBOROUGH — The Fire Station Building Committee voted unanimously to abandon further study of a ground-source geothermal heating system for Boxborough's new fire station. Design-team presenter Jeff told the committee the cost gap between geothermal and a conventional air-source heat pump had grown to $2.2 million once well-drilling costs were included, up from an earlier estimate of $1.2 million. Vice Chair Mac Reid said the system would "add more to the difference that is already very expensive program," while ex-officio member Mike Johns said he "would not be in favor of even spending the $20,000." Member Alan Ford moved to discontinue the study "ever again," seconded by Reid, passing with no opposition or abstentions.

The committee separately approved September invoices totaling $178,501.96 and reached consensus, without a formal vote, on exterior materials including precast concrete, masonry and CMU for the station's design.

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Source: the Fire Station Building Committee meeting of October 22, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.