December 14,2010
Chairman Tom Galvin called the Recessed meeting of December 7,2010 to order @ 7:00 P.M. The meeting was held at the Town Hall, lower level conference room.
Members Present: S. Pilat, D. Merriman, R. Doyon, T. Graveline, M. Scaviola, C. Graveline, J. Slapikas, P. Geary and T. Galvin
Members Absent: None
Mayor's Report:
Mayor Robert J. Chatfield noted the following:
The 'greenway' that was started in Torrington continues through Thomaston, Watertown,
Waterbury, and will continue into Naugatuck
The 2011 Budget for the Council indicates no bottom line increase.
The D.O.T. had submitted a memo to state changes for street lights and signs that would be coming to Prospect.
Mayor Chatfield also asked the Council to cancel the meeting of December 21,2010. Mayor Chatfield requested of the Council to approve the Agreement between the Town of Prospect and the Borough of Naugatuck for Police Assistance. Mayor Chatfield stated the Police Overtime would be paid by the contractors requiring Police assistance. Mayor Chatfield advised monies received from the contractors is used for Police vests, uniforms and just recently a Police Cruiser. Motion made by R. Doyon to approve the Police Assistance Intermunicipal Agreement between the Town of Prospect and the Borough of Naugatuck. Motion seconded by P. Geary. Unanimous. Discussion. Mayor Chatfield advised the Town of Prospect is in Agreement for Police Assistance with Bethany, Beacon Falls and Naugatuck.
Mayor Chatfield advised after an emotional decision, he will no longer be the Assistant Fire Chief and acknowledged his replacement, Day Captain Jason Kolodziej. The Mayor's new title will be Day Commander.
Mayor Chatfield addressed the Wind Turbine Project for Prospect. Mayor Chatfield stated at first he considered the Wind Turbine Project to be a good thing for Prospect until recently. Mayor Chatfield stated he is not opposed to going 'green' and stated when certain neighborhoods of Prospect needed his support he was there:
The waterline on Cambridge
Roads Rebuilt - Knapp, Highland, & Hemlock Roads
The Mayor also stated there are still too many unknowns about this project and advised he will be going before the Siting Council to seek answers on behalf of the residents of Prospect. Mayor Chatfield stated he supports the Neighborhood involved. At this point, Mayor Chatfield received a,'Standing Ovation'.
Chair's Report:
T. Galvin thanked everyone for coming. T. Galvin thanked the sub-committee for their diligence in creating the Resolution in such a short time. The four Council members of the sub-committee were; J. Slapikas, T. Gravelme, P. Geary and S. Pilat. T. Galvin asked the sub-committee to read into the record the Resolution regarding the Wind Turbine Projects. J. Slapikas read the Resolution into the record.
Guests: None
Public Participation:
The Wind Turbine Project discussion took place.
Greg Zupkus, 38 Colonial Dr, President of BNE Energy thanked the Council for their
tune. Regarding the Wind Turbines, Mr. Zupkus stated:
Extensive research was done to find the best area
The location is excellent for wind
The land would be protected from further residential development
BNE would be the largest taxpayer in Prospect.
The original request was for 10 turbines, but the area was too small, only two will be built.
Carrie Larson, Attorney representing BNE Energy stated renewable energy is long overdue and in long term, everyone's electric bills will be lowered. Ms. Larson also advised the Siting Council will be looking closely at the application and has hired a consulting firm to review the application. Ms. Larson stated what happens in Prospect will set a precedence for the whole State. Ms. Larson advised the whole process will take 6 months.
Paul Corey, BNE Energy Chairman, stated BNE Energy had contacted consultants to address each issue. Mr. Corey also advised the turbines would allow for an improvement for electricity in the State. Mr. Corey advised he did not feel a moratorium would be good policy and asked the Council to look at all the facts.
M. Scaviola questioned if the money would stay in Prospect and lower electric rates.
Mr. Corey advised wind is the least expensive of renewable energy and over time as more turbines are added in the State, the electric rates will go down.
Jeff Slapikas stated the Council is not against renewable energy and advised Mr. Corey to look at the Resolution.
P. Geary commented that while the Council was not against renewable energy, the State needed to set guidelines.
T. Graveline also advised the Council was not against renewable energy and stated minimum standards need t®"be met.
Georgianna Boughton, 12 Juggernaut Rd, thanked the Council for looking into this project. Ms. Boughton stated as a retired schoolteacher that taught renewable energy for years; she was very positive about the project.
Debra Hankey, 69 Klein Dr., advised as a mother of a 5 and 3 year old, her family regularly recycles. Ms. Hankey advised she is very supportive of the wind turbines and found some to be more quiet than others.
David Mastrianna, 22 Colonial Drive, advised he is very positive about the Wind Turbines. Mr. Mastrianna stated there is a need for renewable energy and new businesses in Connecticut.
Felix Sambuco, 6 George St, a Waterbury Firefighter, questioned if there is a plan in responders and residents when an emergency arises.
Mike Dreher, 2 Stonefield Dr, noted some positives for building the turbines: much needed tax revenue, the land would be saved from developers building new homes, and there would be an improvement of energy.
Josh Walker, 29 Lee Rd, stated for the people in the direct area, they should not have to sacrifice health and property values because of these Wind Turbines.
John Hurley, 4 George St, stated he came to the meeting this evening with this heart. Mr. Hurley stated he joined the group that traveled to Falmouth, MA and noted many broken people; people contemplating suicide, others living in the basements.
Karen Dunn, 16 Woodcrest, questioned if BNE Energy would be paying the difference if home values dropped or if medical bills would be paid if people in the neighborhood were to become ill once the turbines were built.
BNE representatives advised they did not believe this would be an issue.
Marcia Schultz, 40 Woodcrest, questioned if the Town would benefit with lower electric bills.
Robert Luddy, Jr., 3 Morris Rd, stated he was in favor of the Wind Turbine Project. Mr. Luddy stated the Town would be gaining tax revenue from this project.
Helen Plante, 5 Rosewood Dr, advised she was not against renewable energy, but there were too many ifs and felt the project would have a negative impact on the Town.
Joseph Lukeski, 213 New Haven Rd, expressed his concerns of the distance of the turbines and stated the turbines should be approximately 1 to 2 miles away from homes.
Ken Aubertin, 15 Hemlock Rd, expressed his concerns for ice throw, flicker and decrease in home values.
Jim DeCosta, 239 Cook Rd, asked Council members to push State Representatives to go slow. Mr. DeCosta voiced his concern that there is not enough information.
Richard Sargeant, 3 Radio Tower Rd, voiced his concerns for health living 1500 ft from the site and expressed to the Council that requiring a moratorium was the right thing to do.
Tim Reilly, 17 Woodcrest Dr, thanked the Council for their time and efforts to listen to both sides and to the sub-committee for their input for a Resolution on the Wind Turbines. Mr. Reilly thanked Mayor Chatfield publicly for his support of the neighborhood. Discussion.
T. Galvin called for a Recess. Motion made by J. Slapikas to convene to a Recess @ 9:03 P.M. Motion seconded by P. Geary. Unanimous.
The meeting reconvened from a Recess @ 9:20 P.M. Discussion. M. Scaviola advised after living with a windmill on his property for 30 years, there are pros and cons to the noise and questioned why the people are coming forward; are their fears perceived or real.
T. Galvin stated he will consult with the Town's Attorney and any duty that the Council needs to do will be done.
J. Slapikas thanked T. Graveline, P. Geary and S. Pilat for looking at both sides and also crediting BNE Energy and their attorney for their diligence.
P. Geary advised the Resolution was fair. P. Geary stated the Council supports green and renewable energy; if standards could be met, then the project could go ahead.
T. Galvin advised he experienced both wind turbines at Falmouth, MA and at E. Templeton, MA. T. Galvin stated while standing quite close to the wind turbine hi E. Templeton he could not hear it but heard the traffic. Yet, the wind turbine in Falmouth, MA was older and could be heard. T. Galvin stated it was the duty of all on the Council to do what is right Discussion.
T. Galvin asked for a motion concerning the Resolution.
Motion made by D. Merriman to approve the Resolution of the Prospect Town Council Regarding Wind Turbine Projects. Motion seconded by C. Graveline. Discussion: Unanimous.
T. Galvin requested of the Council to make a motion to cancel the regularly scheduled meeting of December 21, 2010. Motion made by J. Slapikas to cancel the regular meeting of the Prospect Town Council on December 21,2010. Motion seconded by R. Doyon. 8 Approved/1 Opposed, P. Geary. Motion passes.
Correspondence:
Resolution of the Prospect Town Council Regarding Wind Turbine Projects
Police Assistance Intermunicipal Agreement between the Town of Prospect and the
Borough of Naugatuck
Regional Naugatuck River Greenway Routing Study
DOT Memo Regarding Changes to Signs and Lights in Prospect dated 12/14/10
Letter from Michael Dreher dated 12/14/10 regarding Commercial Wind Turbines
Letter to Siting Council from Mayor Chatfield dated 12/1/10
Mayor's Expenditures October to Date 2010-2011
Minutes from Wind Project Subcommittee dated 12/11/10
Motion made by R. Doyon to place Correspondence on file. Motion seconded by
T. Graveline. Unanimous.
New Business:
Refunds — None
Transfers - None
Resignations - None
Appointments — None
Old Business:
Sub-committee Reports - Already acted upon
Adjournment:
Motion made by D. Merriman to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by
R. Doyon. Unanimous. Meeting adjourned @ 9:45 P.M.
Thomas J. Galvin, Chairman
Rosalyn B. Moffo, Clerk