DIXFIELD – Residents will vote on a 180-day wind energy facility moratorium and funds to build an enclosure for a new electronic scoreboard at a special town meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, at Dirigo High School.
Since January 2013, the Planning Board has been revising a wind power development ordinance that was approved by voters in 2012. The revised version will be placed before voters at a later date.
During a recent Planning Board meeting, attorney Kristen Collins asked why the town didn’t have a moratorium in place while the revisions were being made.
Selectman Hart Daley suggested selectmen adopt the language from the wind energy moratorium ordinance that was approved in 2009 and expired in 2010.
Patriot Renewables LLC of Quincy, Mass., approached Dixfield officials three years ago about constructing 13 wind turbines on the Colonel Holman Mountain ridge. The corporation has been conducting research on the ridge, including wind tests, bird studies and environmental impacts.
Also on Thursday’s warrant is an article requesting the town to use up to $10,000 from the Ione Harlow Dixfield Community Fund to build an enclosure for the new electronic scoreboard at Dirigo High School.
Resident Mark Thompson made the request at the July 28 board meeting.
Town Manager Carlo Puiia previously said there was $52,380.46 in the fund.
Irving Forest Products recently donated $12,000 to Dirigo High School to replace its old football and soccer scoreboard at Harlow Park with a new one.
Thompson said the new scoreboard is 24 feet wide, 8 feet high and features LED lights and wireless controls.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
