Cindy L. Grant, a Clayton resident aligned with Environmentally Concerned Citizens Organization, asked the Jefferson County Board of Legislators not to vote on a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement for a proposed wind farm in Clayton.
Mrs. Grant has been a vocal opponent of the layout of the proposed Horse Creek Wind Farm, which would lie in the southern part of the town.
She told the board she was disappointed with the votes of Supervisor Justin A. Taylor and Councilman Donald I. Turcotte, who were the “no” votes against adopting a stricter wind zoning law on April 28.
“They wanted to see industrial wind come to Clayton because they said they wanted the revenue that would come to the town,” Mrs. Grant said. “We were heartbroken that our town supervisor would think more about the economics – and the economic benefits are very questionable – than about the health and safety of the citizens who live there.”
There are about two dozen landowners who would receive lease payments in the project. Mrs. Grant said there are about 300 landowners in the wind overlay district, where the project is planned.
“I ask you to not even consider any PILOT agreement for any wind project in Jefferson County until someone has thoroughly looked at the long-term economic benefits and costs to the taxpayers,” she said.
All taxing jurisdictions must approve a PILOT to abate property taxes before it occurs. The county board has vowed not to vote on another PILOT related to a wind project until a county-wide policy has been formulated.
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