The Workers' Credit Union's Townsend, Mass., branch is getting a green edition makeover, complete with a geothermal heating and cooling system. "This project will not only make banking easier for our members but reduces the energy needed to heat and cool the building," said WCU President/CEO Fred Healey. In addition to a geothermal heating and cooling system, the major renovation includes replacing traditional teller stations and lines with "dialog stations" to help build greater, more meaningful interactions between branch staffers and members. The revamp will also add some 400 square feet to the branch. WCU Senior Vice President John Doyle said the geothermal systems consist of three wells, 500- feet deep, that will keep the water sent through the closed loop system at approximately 50 degrees year round. A supplemental heating system will do the rest of the work to keep the building comfortable during the winter months. He added that the move will help reduce the credit union's annual heating and cooling cost by $9,000. With a 10-year payback on the system, the decision to go green was not an easy one, said Doyle. "While the payback is longer than we liked, it is the right thing to do since the building will be in service for decades to come." Slated to be completed by the end of the year, the branch remains open throughout construction. An official opening celebration to show off the renovated branch is planned for the first of the year. Workers' CU has over $700 million in assets and is based in Fitchburg, Mass.