There will be no new gas and oil well on the grounds of Evamere School at this time.
Superintendent Steven Farnsworth addressed the Board at Monday's meeting and said that he would not recommend the acceptance of Summit Petroleum and BEN Energy's proposal made in April and would not be bringing it before the board for a vote.
He described his reasons for declining the proposal as simple and straighforward.
The potential revenue from a gas well, he said, did not offset the imposition of a well and road access on the elementary school grounds.
The fields around Evamere, Farnsworth said, "are used extensively by students and adults," and he described those fields as "the backyards of many, many people." He said that both he and the board had spoken to neighbors and the community at large for their opinions and insight.
Farnsworth said Hudson schools pride themselves on being "a good neighbor", and that the two wells being currently operated by the district are near the turnpike and don't "bother or inconvenience any neighbors."
He said that he had consulted with Bob Carter, fire chief in Hudson, and other drilling experts, as to safety concerns about the proposed well.
Farnsworth stressed that the district continues to look for alternative methods of raising revenue, other than levies, and that future proposals for well-drilling would be considered.
