Waterford — The Representative Town Meeting on Monday approved a revised 15-year contract with Eversource to run natural gas lines and deliver natural gas to the town police department and public safety building.

The agreement passed 13-10 along party lines, with Republicans voting to approve the contract. A vote on the original contract requiring a 25-year commitment was denied at the Feb. 28 meeting when absences among Republican members gave the Democratic members a majority. Republican Dave Welch voted with the Democrats. The length and clarity of the initial contract were concerns for Democrats, as well as the perceived lack of exploration of green options for the two buildings, some of which are already in use in other town buildings.

The agreement also drew vehement opposition from three residents during public comment as well as from Democratic members and Dan Radin, an unaffiliated RTM member, during the portion allotted to questions for Town Planner Abby Piersall and Director of Public Works Gary Schneider.

The approved contract requires that the town use only natural gas for heat in both buildings for the duration of the contract, though the town will be able to negotiate gas prices, much like it does for oil and electricity. The contract contains no penalty for reducing usage by means of more efficient systems.

Based on current prices for both oil and natural gas, the town estimates a projected savings of $26,670 over 15 years — $1,778 each year — and in the first year also would save $166,200 due to not replacing the oil tanks.

Democratic members argued that current prices are not a valid way to estimate savings over the duration of the contract, as the price of natural gas has been rising steadily.

The issue arose due to the aging of in-ground oil tanks at both buildings. The oil tank at the police department reaches the end of its life expectancy this year, followed by the unit at the public safety building in 2023.

Piersall explained that the tanks need to be either removed or abandoned in place, and town policy historically has been to remove them.

Opponents of the plan expressed concern that alternative energy sources had not been studied for the buildings. Reached by phone Saturday, Democrat Theodore Olynciw said, "no one has looked at other energy sources" and the town needs to "go carbon free, the sooner the better."

This perspective was reiterated in public comment by attorney Tennyson Benedict, who said, "reading the administrative record has led me to believe that Waterford has overlooked a potential alternative heating solution." He further detailed his concerns with the contract, saying its terms "are far too long and far too constrictive," and he felt it would "give Eversource a monopoly on the method in which we heat our public safety buildings."

But Republicans reiterated that they needed to act and vote for natural gas because the oil tank at the police department was nearing its end of usefulness.

"I voted yes because there are two options on the table: oil or gas," and no other alternative fuel sources are currently an option, Republican Danielle Steward-Gelinas said. "It is the right decision for Waterford right now."

A vote to consider the approval "emergency legislation," allowing the town to bypass the required 15-day waiting period, failed 14-9. After the vote failed, Democrat Nicholas Gauthier expressed his intent to seek a public referendum on the matter.

Eversource plans to run natural gas lines from Woodlawn Avenue down Boston Post Road to tie in to lines for the Waterford Woods development on Willetts Avenue. Residents along this path also would have the opportunity to switch to natural gas.