March 4, 2014
New Hampshire

Alexandria voters to take up wind power ordinance

By DAN SEUFERT, Union Leader Correspondent | March 03, 2014 | www.unionleader.com

ALEXANDRIA – Voters will be asked to approve a $3.8 million operating budget, not including warrant articles, at town elections next week.

Also on the ballot are proposed zoning changes and a petitioned rights-based ordinance to deal with new wind-power developments.

Voting will take place at Alexandria Town Hall Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

On the ballot will be detailed definitions and rules for land usage in town in the form of the proposed “Land Use and Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Alexandria.” The ordinance is intended to retain, protect and enhance the rural characteristics and natural resources of the town, to encourage the preservation of agricultural lands, to protect property values and to prevent overcrowding and provide orderly profit/nonprofit commercial and industrial development, according to town officials.

Also on the ballot is a Community Bill of Rights Ordinance intended to assert local control over large industrial projects such as wind farms. It states the New Hampshire Constitution’s intent that “all government of right originates from the people, is founded in consent and instituted for the general good” and the Declaration of Independence’s recognition that governments are instituted to secure and protect the rights of people and communities.

Article 3 asks voters for $17,200 for the Alexandria Volunteer Fire Department to pay for firefighting and prevention services and to continue the lease of the department’s 1999 International tanker and the 2012 Ford F550.

Article 4 asks for $30,000 to be put into the highway department’s capital reserve fund, and Article 5 asks for $10,000 to be put into the fire equipment capital reserve fund.

Article 6 asks voters for $73,000 for the replacement of the Washburn Road bridge.

Article 7 asks for $34,600 for a new police cruiser, with $24,600 raised by taxation and $10,000 to be withdrawn from the police special detail account. Article 8 asks for $54,000 for a new one-ton truck with a plow and sander; of that amount, $20,000 would come from the highway equipment capital reserve fund.

Article 9 asks for $150,050 for a new 35000 GVW truck with a plow and sander; of that, $120,050 would come from taxes and $30,000 would be drawn from the highway equipment capital reserve fund.

Articles 7 and 9 are not recommended by selectmen.

[rest of article available at source]


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/03/04/alexandria-voters-to-take-up-wind-power-ordinance/