Town writes to governor about wind; Interim zoning administrator hired 

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has tentatively approved the project to meet its state energy goals, but no formal agreement has been reached.

The selectboard’s letter further states the project’s construction would “damage precious natural resources and wildlife habitat,” an assertion contested by environmental researchers who studied the project’s plans and the area in which the project would be constructed, that the project would devalue adjacent properties, that it would adversely affect the health and quality of life of those living in close proximity and that the project would “diminish the scenic beauty of the ridgeline,” Clark read, “all for power that is being sold to Connecticut – exclamation mark.”

Those assertions are the central debate between the project’s developers and associated scientists and the project’s opponents, most of the latter living near the project’s proposed site. Determining which side of the argument possesses stronger evidence is the central question before the PSB.

Clark said the board is preparing similar letters for state agencies involved in the PSB process, including the Department of Public Service, a separate entity from the PSB, and the Agency of Natural Resources.

Penny Dubie, a Fairfield resident and one of the project’s core opponents, asked if the Swanton selectboard had been notified of the Northwest Regional Planning Commission’s (NRPC) stance on the project. The NRPC is another formal participant in the PSB process, but the group has not officially announced whether it will work to support or oppose Swanton Wind. Vermont statutes require the PSB to provide “substantial deference” to the NRPC in determining energy projects’ accordance with its regional energy plan.

NRPC member Harold Garrett is also the foreman of Swanton’s highway department. He gave Dubie an unofficial update on the NRPC’s process.

“Right now we’re waiting to see what the towns are going to do,” he said. “We’ve appropriated up to $10,000 that could be spent on that, but we don’t want to duplicate what the towns are going to do.”
Garrett said the NRPC will vote to oppose or support the project, but has not done so yet.

Selectboard member Daniel Billado pressed for more. “This has been going on a year and a half now,” Billado said.

But Garrett could not speak on behalf of the NRPC, and Clark said the selectboard would directly reach out to the NRPC to ask again when that vote might take place.

Dubie asked if she could encourage St. Albans and Fairfield to submit similar letters to Governor Scott. Clark encouraged her to do so.

Billado said the selectboard would also encourage Swanton’s village board of trustees to sign the town’s letter, or to submit its own.

“We definitely want a full-court press,” he said.

Zoning administrator Town Administrator David Jescavage suggested Swanton resident Amy Giroux serve as the town’s interim zoning administrator. Jescavage said he would train her in the position should the board approve of the choice. The board certainly did. Clark praised her work on the town’s developmental review board, and said Giroux “asked very good questions.” Billado told Giroux he was “really happy” to learn she was interested in the position, and that he “totally, 150 percent” supports appointing her to that position. The board passed a motion to do just that. Giroux will serve as interim zoning administrator for 120 days before being permanently appointed should she decide to continue.