By Lani Duke
Solar field proposed for Castleton—but . . .
CASTLETON—Solar energy developer Green Lantern Group has proposed a four-acre solar array next to the temporary town offices’ parking lot. Comprising 125 racks bearing 2,250 solar panels, it would be part of a commercial-scale 500-kilowatt project.
Energy from it would flow into the Green Mountain power grid, resulting in solar net metering credits that utility customers could use to offset their energy costs. Sited on land leased from Bud Carpenter, it would appear much like a similar project on Route 30 in Sudbury, with panel bottoms three feet above the ground and top edges no more than eight feet high.
Green Lantern would lease the property from Bud Carpenter and plant vegetation to screen the project from the view of those using the parking lot. The company sent out a 45-day notice to all involved with the project on June 25 and can file for a certificate of Public Good from the state Public Service Board after that, presumably on August 8. Given approval by mid-October, Green Lantern could begin construction on December 1. The solar array could be complete in six to eight weeks, given good weather and other conditions, and be able to connect with the grid two weeks after that.
But the town has two weeks after the 45-day period to file objections with the board, given automatic intervenor status by new legislation H.40. Not all the Select Board is pleased with the project’s effect on the ambiance of their community and believe the screening is insufficient.
Castleton hires new police officer
CASTLETON—Scott Alkinburgh has joined the Castleton police force on a part-time basis. He had been the school resource officer at Fair Haven High for the school year 2014-2015.
Emergency notification sign-up
FAIR HAVEN—Fair Haven folks can sign up to receive local emergency response team notifications such as evacuation notices, bio-terrorism alerts, boil water notices, and missing child reports, at the website public.coderedweb.com/CNE/BF5778491C2B. Notifications may be by email, cell phone, text, or landline, including by TDD/TTY device for those who are hearing impaired. The Select Board initiated this new and immediate communication.
Extensive upgrades funded
FAIR HAVEN—The historic marble Adams House of Fair Haven, a 13-unit affordable senior housing development, is scheduled to receive a heating and electrical systems upgrade as well as site work and exterior repairs, through efforts put together by the Housing Trust of Rutland County. The project combines $104,142 in Vermont Housing and Conservation Board funds and a $337,000 federal HOME grant for the recapitalization.
Pawlet town plan takes shape
PAWLET—Fred Stone is currently drafting the agriculture portion of the 2015 Pawlet town plan. To have your say, meet him at 6:30 p.m., Friday, July 10, in the town hall conference room.
Preservation appreciation, well-deserved
Jane Beck and the late Susanne Rappaport will be honored for their contributions as “keepers of the lore” at the 2015 annual Hildene Award ceremony on July 26. Together they devoted nearly a century’s worth of time in preserving Vermont legends and legacies. A West Pawlet resident, Rappaport focused on her town and its Slate Valley quarries and was honored by the Vermont Historical Society with its Lifetime Achievement award last October. She was the founding executive director of the Slate Valley Museum. Director emeritus of the Vermont Folklore Center, Beck is recognized as Vermont’s first folkorist.
