Selectboard Moves Ahead with Solar Site
by Robbie Stanley, October 20, 2011.....

At the October 17 special Selectboard meeting, the board listened to public opinion about the proposed siting of the solar panels off Thompson’s Point Road, rescinded a motion made at the special October 6 meeting that called for a special Town Meeting to vote on the solar panel project, and approved a motion to proceed with the project’s application to the Public Service Board (PSB) for a Certificate of Public Good (COPG).
After the October 6 meeting, during which the special meeting on November 10 was agreed upon, the town’s attorney advised the Selectboard that it was “not within the authority of the voters to decide” on this project. Selectboard Chair Charles Russell explained that, as much as the public would like veto power over a project, it doesn’t work that way. “The town is the landowner. We’re acting as landowners.” Selectboard member Winslow Ladue said that every parcel of town-owned land has been considered. Under consideration is the installation of 14 solar tracker panels that would generate electricity for town buildings.
The Selectboard will discuss at its regular meeting on October 24 how to approach the next steps of the project and how it plans to take an additional public input regarding the project. No public input will be taken on this issue at that meeting.
At the October 17 meeting, as in the previous one, many attendees voiced concerns about the proposed site, questioning the precedent set by installing this project in conservation land and whether it would change the special character of the Point. The field under consideration, south of the northernmost mound east of Flat Rock Road, is in a conservation district, although it is not protected as conserved land.
Several people pointed out that, regardless of the outcome, obtaining and listening to public input is essential during this phase of the process. Most were generally supportive of the town’s use of solar panels as a green energy source while a few attendees asked about the benefit solar panels would bring to the town. Many others voiced concerns about the way the project has moved forward without getting larger public participation. Monday’s meeting was called just three days in advance, although nearly every seat in the Town Hall space was filled.
Several people asked about using the land behind Town Hall instead, but Selectboard Chair Charles Russell reminded the audience that it was the Thompson’s Point site under discussion.
A motion to submit the amended application to the Public Service Board (PSB) passed. The Public Service Board (PSB) is a three-member state group; its hearings are open to the public, during which public testimony is allowed. After the application goes through hearings the PSB will make its decision and/or recommend changes. If approved, a COPG will be issued and the Selectboard can proceed with the project. The board also has a power purchase agreement it needs to negotiate with AllEarth Renewables in the coming month.
When the third and final item on the agenda came up, to discuss the next steps of the project, Ed Stone cautioned his fellow board members to not make a decision prematurely. He said, “If (public) consensus is 70/30 for or against, we live with it. The question to discuss the next steps seems to be premature to me. Next Monday night will give us a whole week to think about it; we’ll have a more informed opinion. We are a board of volunteers trying to make this right for everybody. We all want to make sure to do this the right way.”
It was at the September 12 meeting that the Selectboard first took up the issue of solar power for town buildings. David Blittersdorf, owner of AllEarth Renewables, was present with Caleb Elder to clarify details of their proposal for a 60 kW project with a lease purchase agreement for 14 solar trackers. AllEarth’s preferred location for the project is at the corner of the field on the south side of Thompson’s Point Road just west of Flat Rock Road, because there is already a utility pole located there that can be used for the net metering of the project.
After discussion of some of the AllEarth proposal and of a second proposal from Alteris Renewables, the board voted 4-1 in favor of pursuing the COPG with the understanding that there will be further review of both proposals before a decision is made to accept either (or none). Blittersdorf said that if the COPG is received, AllEarth would be willing to transfer it to Alteris if the Town decides to go that route.