Friday, July 10, 2009

Sheffield Wind Project Awaits Permit From Barton Village

Another delay has stopped the progress of the Sheffield windmill project. The retirement of the Commissioner of Transportation, Bonnie Rutledge, has put a hold on Barton Village’s issuance of the permit First Wind needs to use Duck Pond Road to transport the wind turbines to the Sheffield site. This delay is bad news for First Wind but good news to the project’s opponents.

Last week the Barton Village trustees met with the village’s attorney to discuss the idea of getting a bond from First Wind to guarantee damage done to the road or to village systems will be repaired, Village Supervisor Brian Hanson said.

“The village is concerned. We want to make sure all our t’s are crossed and the i’s are dotted to make sure water lines and sewage and drainage systems are protected,” Hanson said.

The village originally asked First Wind for a $1 million bond. The company did not agree.

“A million dollar bond would cost them about $25,000 to $30,000 depending on the rates. I think the amount may be negotiable but we’re really trying to protect the village,” Hanson said.

A First Wind representative was not available to comment on the reason the company does not want to put up a bond.

(Click to read entire article)

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