July 24, 2018
Massachusetts

Kingston Wind Independence makes partial payment to town for turbine lease and taxes

Kathryn Gallerani | Jul 24, 2018 | kingston.wickedlocal.com

KINGSTON – While not paid in full, Kingston Wind Independence has warded off possible revocation of site plan approval for its Independence wind turbine.

The Planning Board hearing scheduled for Monday night has continued after KWI paid more than $200,000 of the $312,875 it owes the town in lease and tax payments.

“They came in and paid a fair amount of the lease and the taxes, and they’re working with (Town Administrator) Tom Calter to those things squared away,” Vice Chairman Bob Gosselin said.

The public hearing has been continued to 7:10 p.m. Monday, Oct. 22, to discuss revoking site plan approval.

Non-payment of taxes and rent by KWI are cited as reasons for possible revocation. The town’s general bylaws and state law allow revocation or suspension of most local licenses and permits for failure to pay municipal taxes or charges.

The Board of Selectmen has included KWI on the board’s agenda Tuesday night.

In December 2015, KWI filed a lawsuit against the town’s Board of Health claiming that an abatement order approved in October 2015 further restricted operation of the turbine, causing significant financial hardship to its business.

In February 2016, the town answered with a counterclaim that KWI is in breach of contract and not in full compliance with either the Board of Health’s original abatement order or its second abatement order for shutdown of the turbine under certain conditions.

The Planning Board approved the Independence turbine on the town’s capped landfill in June 2010, and construction began in September 2011. The turbine began operating in May 2012. The turbine has been shut down for about two months.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2018/07/24/kingston-wind-independence-makes-partial-payment-to-town-for-turbine-lease-and-taxes/