July 19, 2011
Pennsylvania

Latest bid for Pine windmill rejected

By Cindy Cusic Micco, Pine-Richland Patch, pine-richland.patch.com 19 July 2011

Yet another bid for Pine Township’s windmill has been rejected.

The Pine Board of Supervisors voted 4-0 Monday night to reject the latest bid of $20,100 and rebid the sale of the windmill again.

The bid came from Phillip Hollett of St. John’s in Newfoundland, Canada. He is listed as a director for Watts Wind Energy, a community-based wind project in Nova Scotia, according to the firm’s website.

“I don’t know much about wind turbines,” said Supervisor Edward Holdcroft, “but I’ve got to believe it’s worth more than that.”

The township has about $160,000 invested in the windmill, with $62,500 paid through a state grant.

Monday’s vote marked the second time the supervisors have rejected bids for the windmill that sits atop a hill overlooking Pine Community Center.

Supervisors voted unanimously in June to reject four bids for the windmill and re-advertise for new ones. The highest bid then was $11,100, according to Assistant Township Manager Scott D. Anderson.

The supervisors Monday asked staff how much the windmill is costing the township now.

In addition to maintenance costs, a yearly inspection costs about $1,800, said Larry A. Kurpakus, director of code administration and land development.

“I hate to spend money … for something to sit there and not work,” said Supervisor Frank Spagnolo. “Somewhere along the way it’s going to cost us major dollars.”

The windmill was erected as an energy-saving initiative in 2005, with hopes that it would generate power for the community center and other township buildings, but there is rarely enough wind to spin the windmill.

A consultant advised the township the 120-foot structure needed to be taller, but given the cost of making that adjustment, Pine supervisors decided in January to sell it instead.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/07/19/latest-bid-for-pine-windmill-rejected/