PERU — Wind Ordinance Committee Chairman Bill Hine asked the Board of Selectmen Monday night to come to their meetings. All five members were at the meeting.
Hine asked the wind committee if they wanted to ask selectmen to extend the moratorium.
Tim Holland, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, said his board already had decided they want the extension.
Hine then said he wanted to get his committee certified. “The Planning Board is the anchor, and we have 11 people who are consistently attending meetings,” he said.
Hine said they have to decide if the committee has all the tools to construct an ordinance or if they need technical advice. If so, where would the funds come from? he asked.
“All the ordinances from other towns I have seen, have holes,” he said.
Holland said they wanted a comprehensive ordinance, and they would be happy to certify the members. “We have built money into the budget for legal fees.”
Jim Pulsifer asked how much, and Holland replied they had put in $10,000 for all legal fees in the town.
The wind group is meeting weekly, and they received thanks from selectmen.
John Holden, who is an economic development consultant, was present to answer questions. He said his main role was to try to help towns figure out how a wind farm would benefit the town. He also said the Planning Board was the best body to bring forth an ordinance.
The discussion turned to the amount of time it would take to get an ordinance. Holland told the committee to take as long as it need, but not to burn themselves out.
Steve Fuller, wind panel member asked Holden about monitoring the wind projects and how to enforce the ordinances. Pulsifer said Sumner was working on this issue in their ordinance and that Peru should work with Sumner officials.
“We can set our own standards, but will need help on enforcement,” Rick Childs said.
“I want us to get evidence behind all we do. So we do need to hire outside help,” Hine said.
“We would like you to come to the board any time you have an issue with something,” Holland said.
The Wind Committee and Board of Selectman will be meeting with the proposed wind project representative Wednesday night, and Holland suggested they all have prepared questions.
Hine said he would present the board with a list of 11 people for certification though he would put a cap on 15 members. Holland agreed.
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