Dexter's New School Set For $880,000 Wood Chip Boiler

DEXTER (NEWS CENTER) -- Dexter's new school is installing an $880,000 wood chip boiler that School Superintendent Kevin Jordan hopes will pay itself off in savings over the next ten years.

Jordan says last year's heating bill for the four schools was $80,000. After carefully considering the pros and cons of the wood chip boiler, his team decided it was worth it.

"The biggest positives was about the cost of wood chips being less than oil. But we also looked at some of the concerns: some of the emissions that would be let out through the furnace, the amount of wood chips that would be available," he said.

Jordan says the new school will also have a back up oil furnace for days when its not cold enough to fire up the boiler.

He is also excited about the possiblity of serving the state of Maine.

"I'd rather take my chances with the price of wood chips and keeping the money here in the state of Maine versus relying on the oil companies," he said.

The new school will consolidate four schools from Garland, Dexter, Exeter, and Ripley. It is expected to be completed in the fall of 2010.