FARMINGTON — RSU 9 directors voted Tuesday to authorize Support Services Director David Leavitt to get bids for a pellet boiler to heat Mt. Blue Middle School, Cascade Brook School and the bus garage.

The buildings, which are heated by oil, are in the same area off Middle Street in Farmington.

“There is money to be saved,” Leavitt said, estimating it would be $600,000 over 20 years.

The pellet system, including installation and pellets, is estimated to cost $767,000 and pay for itself in 14 years, he said. It has a life expectancy of 30 years.

The building to house the system would go on a grass island opposite the superintendent’s office at the middle school.

Superintendent Mike Cormier said the money budgeted for oil to heat the three buildings would pay for the system.

Leavitt said he would research grant opportunities to try to save taxpayers more money.

The U.S. Forest Service did a feasibility study on which heating method would work best for the buildings and be the most cost efficient. The study looked at wood chips, wood chips/shavings/sawmill residue, and wood pellets. The study indicated a pellet system would have a quicker payback and replace 95 percent of the oil used at the buildings, Leavitt said.

The district used the pellet boiler at the new Mallett School until mid-May. Only 1,100 gallons of oil was used during the 2011-12 school year, Leavitt said.

The project would need to go before the board and voters in the 10 towns for approval. Voters may weigh in on the issue on Election Day in November.

If approved, the system is not expected to be online until 2013-14 school year.

dperry@sunjournal.com

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