Black Creek reviewing wind plan
The company proposing to develop a wind turbine farm on Buck Mountain will go before Black Creek Township for approval of its land development plan.
The township supervisors accepted preliminary plans at its Tuesday night meeting.
Penn Wind LLC of Sunbury wants to construct 22 wind turbines on top of the Buck Mountain ridge. Four turbines would be in Black Creek Township in Luzerne County, and the remaining 18 in neighboring Beaver Township, Columbia County.
Those plans will be reviewed by the township engineer and the Luzerne County Planning Commission. The county planning commission will recommend the township supervisors approve or deny the application for the wind farm based on requirements of the subdivision and land development ordinance. Black Creek Township does not currently have a planning commission, which would ordinarily review the plans.
The township supervisors will then approve or deny the application after holding a public meeting at some point in July. Black Creek will advertise the meeting once it settles on a date.
Black Creek Township officials suggest that any resident or property owner with questions or concerns about the wind farm should attend the meeting so their issues can be addressed.
The Black Creek Zoning Hearing Board approved the wind turbine plans during an April meeting.
On May 26, the Sugarloaf Township Zoning Hearing Board listened to Penn Wind’s plans to construct an electrical substation in Sugarloaf as part of the project. The zoning hearing board has not made a decision on those plans yet, its solicitor Lawrence Klemow said. By state law the hearing board has 45 days to render a decision, he said. Penn Wind does not have plans to build turbines in Sugarloaf.
The supervisors held an executive session prior to the voting meeting to discuss personnel and litigation.
Pension refund
Black Creek will be credited $52,609.10, plus 6 percent interest on its pension plan, from former supervisor Rickie Whitebread, who pleaded guilty recently to using township money for personal gain.
Solicitor Donald Karpowich said any elected official who commits a crime is entitled to the contributions they made to the retirement fund, but forfeits the rest of his/her pension.
On the Web
The township Web site is live, though it is not 100 percent ready. The site – www.blackcreektownship.org – will include township laws, news, department information, and meeting minutes.
Township employees
Resident Ralph Brutosky questioned why the township road crew job leader was placed in a leadership position despite not having a commercial driver’s license. Supervisor Bonnie Adams said that person is working toward his CDL.
achristman@standardspeaker.comBlack Creek Township residents interested in serving the township in a greater capacity will get their chance.
The township is opening up the newly combined position of zoning/code enforcement officer, a post it wants to fill by Sept. 1. Township solicitor Donald Karpowich said to avoid duplicating services, the township consolidated the positions.
The township does not have a code enforcement officer; John Drasher is the current zoning officer. Township supervisor Bonnie Adams said to be fair, the township is opening up the joint position to all residents, instead of only offering it to Drasher.
The person who assumes the job will have to oversee zoning/code permits, address violations and investigate complaints.
Meanwhile, the supervisors want to establish a five-member planning commission, which is charged with reviewing subdivision and land development applications. It decides whether an applicant meets all the requirements of the township subdivision and land development ordinance. The commission recommends a decision to the township board of supervisors, which approves or denies an application.
The supervisors also want to create a three-member board of appeals for the state-wide construction code. The board would be charged with hearing appeals.
To apply for any of the open positions, call the township office at 384-3206 for more information. Letters of interest can be sent to the township at P.O. Box 3, Rock Glen, PA 18246. Candidates for all open positions will be interviewed by the township supervisors.
Applications for the zoning/code officer are available at the township building.
For more information, visit the township Web site at www.blackcreek township.org.
By Amanda Christman
Staff Writer
5 June 2009
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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