BRUNSWICK — The Brunswick Town Council on Monday approved exceptions to a ban on outdoor wood boiler heating units, allowing wood and wood pellet boilers that meet certain standards.
Jeff Emerson, the Brunswick Fire Department’s deputy chief for fire prevention, said Monday that the exceptions rely on new state emissions standards to determine which boilers are acceptable for residential use while doubling the setback required in state law.
The new regulations approved by a unanimous vote of the council Monday allow wood boilers classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as “Phase II,” a classification that specifies the maximum allowable emissions from the boiler.
The new regulations allow wood boilers producing less than 0.32 Lbs/MMBtu — or pounds per million British thermal units — to be installed on residential lots with a setback of 100 feet from any property line or 140 feet from the nearest residence not on adjacent property.
The new regulations also require a smoke stack height of at least 10 feet or 2 feet higher than the roof of the structure being served by the boiler if that structure is within 100 feet of the boiler.
Resident John Libby, who owns John Libby Construction, spoke Monday and at a March 5 meeting regarding approval of the new regulations on wood boilers.
“I can get free wood and can heat my house for a fraction of the cost,” Libby said. “ They have come quite a ways since the last time this was brought up.”
Since 2007, when the Town Council placed a moratorium on outdoor wood boilers, state emission standards and new boiler technology have reduced the problems for neighbors, according to Emerson.
Emerson said the boilers that were causing problems for neighbors released around twice the amount of emissions as the new standard allows.
The new regulations also require special inspections for boilers rated with a thermal output of greater than 350,000 Btu/hour.
The regulations also specifically prohibit the burning of materials other than clean wood, clean wood pellets, corn, and certain home heating oils. Violations of the new codes would trigger fines of up to $100.
Brunswick property owners interested in installing an outdoor wood or pellet boiler should contact the Brunswick Fire Department at 725-5541.
dfishell@timesrecord.com
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