May 14, 2012
Massachusetts

Princeton voters to decide today between two light commission candidates

www.telegram.com 14 May 2012

PRINCETON – Voters will decide between two candidates for a three-year position of Electric Light Commissioner in the only contested race of today’s election.

The candidates, Christopher Conway, 65, of 90 Mirick Road, and Donald E. Schoeny, 69, of 49 Greene Road, are focusing on improving the financial issues that currently face the Princeton Municipal Light Department (PMLD) including costly repairs to one of the town’s two wind turbines.

“I believe that decision- making by the light board has not been the best,” Mr. Schoeny, a retired CEO, said. I just want to help.”

According to Mr. Schoeney, the light department is in debt for $600,000 for repairs to the gear box in one of the town’s wind turbine transmission. It remains unclear about who will ultimately be responsible for the bill – the town or the company, Fuhrlander Wind Turbines of Germany. The turbine is expected to be back in service by the end of May and the company will do a diagnosis on the faulty piece of equipment back in Germany. In the meantime, the town has been responsible for seeking supplemental power through groups from other municipal light departments.

Mr. Conway is hoping that the light department can settle its financial difficulties and move forward.

“The Light Department in Princeton has been around for a 100 years,” Mr. Conway said. “It has always served the rate payers. There is no reason it can’t serve another 100 years.”

Mr. Conway, who works for both an architectural firm and project management firm, acknowledged that the problem with the wind turbine has caused a financial drain to the light department, but recognized the importance of keeping the municipal company in place for the town.

“I want to maintain the light company (PMLD) and bring it back up to speed versus having it sold to a larger company,” he said.

Other candidates running unopposed in the election are:

Neil A. Sulmasy, 243 Thompson Road, for a three year term as selectman to replace the position currently held by Select Chairman Raymond A. Dennehy III. A second candidate, Edwin B. Carlson, withdrew early in the race, however, his name will still appear on the voting ballot .

Timothy R. Hammond, 143 Wheeler Road, for a three year term as assessor

Robert Imber, 68F Sterling Road, for a three year term on the Wachusett Regional School Committee
Stephen G. Mirik, 53 Gregory Road, for a three year term as a Trustee of Trust Funds

Jon H. Fudeman, 224 Worcester Road, for a three year term on the Planning Board

Ann Neuburg, 22 Bigelow Road, for a three year term on the Planning Board

Harry A. Pape, 70 Merriam Road, for a one year term as Town Moderator

Polls are open from noon to 8 p.m. on Monday, May 14, at the Town Hall Annex, 4 Town Hall Drive, Princeton.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/05/14/princeton-voters-to-decide-today-between-two-light-commission-candidates/