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10 | 04 | 2018 VOLUME 23 | ISSUE 39
WELLESLEY IDOL WINNER NAMED AT ABC FESTIVAL LIVING HERE PAGE 27
COMMENT PAGE 8
NEWSPAPER WEEK AND THE ROLE OF THE MEDIA
COUNCIL / WOOLWICH
WMC to get an energy overhaul courtesy of cogeneration project
www.OBSERVERXTRA.com
A FUN TIME IN WELLESLEY, NO BULL!
Council approves $1.5-million project intended to significantly reduce operating costs over 20-year term STEVE KANNON Looking to reduce soaring operating and maintenance costs at the Woolwich Memorial Centre, the township will install heat-and-energy cogeneration equipment in the facility, along with a geothermal system for cooling and heating. The $1.5-million project, to be financed largely through energy cost savings over the next 20 years, was approved this week by Woolwich council. The plan calls for what’s known as a combined heat and power (CHP) system, which generates electricity and captures the heat that would otherwise be wasted to provide useful thermal energy, such as steam or hot water, that can be used for space heating, cooling, domestic hot water and industrial processes, says a report presented to council. The technology will essentially increase the use
of natural gas to generate both heat and electricity, providing a net savings in hydro costs. An extra $20,000 a year in natural gas expenses will result in savings of $58,000 annually due to what are currently much cheaper gas costs, said director of finance Richard Petherick. With a payback period of 20 years, the township predicts it will save some $829,000 in energy costs over the life of the deal. Indirect savings are also expected due to reduced maintenance costs on the building’s existing boiler. The project is the latest move to tackle issues that have plagued the building since its opening in 2009. The year after the WMC went into operation, the recreation department exceeded its budget by $550,000, or 14.6 per cent, largely due to higherthan-expected costs at the new multi-use facility in WMC | 7
The 43rd annual Wellesley Apple Butter and Cheese Festival took place on Saturday. It was a fun-filled day featuring dozens of vendors, pony rides, arts and craft shows, tractor rides, and live music by Wellesley Idol singers and other local entertainers. See more photos on p. 29. [VERONICA REINER / THE OBSERVER]