May 25, 2016
Vermont
Vermont
Grafton prepares to fill board vacancy; Could come to town-wide election with tension over wind project
By Chris Mays | Brattleboro Reformer | 05/24/2016 | www.reformer.com
By Chris Mays | Brattleboro Reformer | 05/24/2016 | www.reformer.com
A wind power project has people here on edge.
A table set up in front of Grafton Elementary School on Monday night offering free cookies gave a glimpse into the situation with a sign that featured a quote from Rodney King.
“Can we all get along?” it read.
Residents are concerned with a proposed wind-turbine project. Signs on lawns across town say, “No wind turbines,” with the associated website, graftonwindhamwindinfo.com displayed below the message.
The Select Board was supposed to meet Monday to discuss the appointment of an interim board member since Chairman Gus Plummer resigned last week after receiving an anonymously written note he perceived as a threat. But Town Administrator Emily Huff said the Vermont League of Cities and Towns advised against holding the meeting since it was not warned on the town’s website and the board could be accused of violating Open Meeting Law.
Over 30 people showed up to the meeting on Monday.
“People are watching underneath the microscope,” Select Board Vice Chairman Al Sands said. “This was supposed to be a special meeting. The intent was to have a very limited agenda and that we would just start the procedure for filling the vacancy.”
The meeting was rescheduled to Thursday night at 6 p.m. at the Town Hall. If the board cannot reach a consensus on who will replace Plummer until annual Town Meeting in March then a town-wide election will put the position to a vote.
“If you think about everything that’s going on, that’s probably the most fair way to do business,” said Sands. “Yes, it’s a delay. Yes, it’s inconvenient. But everybody gets to vote. People get to air whatever they need to air.”
During time reserved for public comment at Thursday’s meeting, residents plan on questioning Sands about a private meeting they say he had with Iberdrola Renewables and another citizen. He did not respond to requests for a comment by press time.