WILTON — The Board of Selectpersons Tuesday revisited and finalized wording for an upcoming special town meeting warrant which addresses continued support of Central Maine Power’s transmission line project.
Initially, the town filed a letter of support for the $950 million, 145-mile New England Clean Energy Connect transmission line which will deliver power generated by Hydro-Quebec in Quebec to users in Massachusetts. The town filed as an intervener in October 2018, but has not yet rescinded its initial support. On Feb. 5, the selectboard voted unanimously to give voters a say in the matter and scheduled a special town meeting for Tuesday, March 5 at 6 p.m. at Cushing School.
On Tuesday, Selectperson Keith Swett said over the course of roughly a three-quarter mile stretch, 11 sets of poles would be installed within the town. “There are 22 poles in total,” he said. “One of the discussion points I heard in the past was all the trees would need to be cut down. Looking at Google Maps, it appears that over 90 percent of that area of Wilton is already fields.
“From what I can see in our ordinance, it is an approved use and they are using the property they purchased in the way they intended to. When I read the articles as they are written, both appear to be negative.”
Selectperson David Leavitt agreed the articles appeared to be negative. “They have the right of way across that land,” he said. “If they stay within their permitted land and they get the necessary permits to build their new transmission lines, so be it. I don’t have to like it but it is their land, their business.”
Chairperson Tiffany Maiuri also agreed and said, “There needs to be some discussion as to how it, directly and indirectly, affects the town. The discussion should focus on the risks and benefits, both real and perceived, to our town by our citizens. “
After discussing the wording in detail, the selectboard decided the article will give voters the options of affirming the former letter of support, rescinding the letter but remaining neutral, or rescinding the letter along with any support of the project.
Selectperson Tom Saviello, who has voiced opposition to the project, was not present at Tuesday’s meeting.
In other matters, selectpersons also approved capital account purchase requests from Fire Chief Sonny Dunham, one for two sets of turnout gear and the other for a telescoping 14,000 lumens light for the squad truck.
“I have 25 firefighters on my roster now and I’m short on turnout gear,” Dunham said. “I’d like to purchase two sets.”
Dunham recommended purchasing Globe Industries through Bergeron Protective Clothing of Epsom, New Hampshire. Each set will cost about $1,750, he said.
“We bought three sets through Bergeron four or five years ago and it is holding up pretty well,” he added. “The plan is to include three sets of replacement gear in the upcoming budget. After that, we should be in good shape.”
Dunham said there were four coats and three pairs of pants that could be used for backup. “The rest of what we had has been taken out of service,” he said.
Funds for the turnout gear will be expended from the capital equipment account which has a balance of $12,500. The light will be purchased using the capital apparatus account which has a balance of $48,607.
dmenear@thefranklinjournal.com
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