Board schedules site update and possible tour after Yale reports 183 boreholes drilled

Board members reviewed documents submitted by Yale and discussed progress on Yale’s geothermal project at the Oct. 23 meeting. Aaron and other board members noted the latest submission (dated Oct. 9) and that Yale had documented ancillary lines and some boreholes relocated where drilling conditions required minor horizontal moves. One document reported 183 boreholes had been completed.

Board counsel and staff noted that some boreholes were drilled within 5 feet of a storm pipe and that the contractor discussed the relocation with Yale; staff said they did not believe the relocations posed a contamination risk. The board discussed asking Yale to return for a formal update in January 2026, and several members expressed interest in a site tour to view the boreholes, manifolds and the phased thermal plant work. The board agreed staff should correspond with Yale’s counsel (Paul Grabowski) to set possible tour dates and to solicit which Yale staff and engineers they would bring.

Staff cautioned that an off-site tour involving a quorum would require a noticed meeting; the board discussed limiting the number attending or scheduling a special meeting notice to avoid violating open meeting rules. Members discussed inviting the heating board to join the tour so its members could see the manifolds and equipment integration. No formal action (approval or rejection) of Yale work was taken at the meeting; the item will return for an update and possible site visit planning.