SAVOY — Special town meeting voters will decide Wednesday whether to let a wind turbine developer increase the height of five proposed wind turbines on West Hill by another 30 feet.
The special town meeting will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 27, at 6 p.m. in the Savoy Fire Station.
In 2008, town voters allowed Minuteman Wind LLC to build the turbines but capped the turbine height to 425 feet. Now the developer is asking the town to allow 455-high turbines, because the original turbines proposed for the 12.5-megawatt project are no longer available. Proponents say the larger turbine blades could generate more electricity and more PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) town revenue. A two-thirds majority vote will be required.
Although only Savoy residents can vote, the turbines will be visible from large sections of Savoy, Hawley and parts of Charlemont and Plainfield, the Berkshire Eagle reported.
Lloyd Crawford of Hawley, the owner of Stump Sprouts Ski Center and Guest Lodge, attended a recent public hearing on the issue but said he probably won’t go to the special town meeting. Crawford’s land is to the east of where the turbines are to be constructed, starting next spring if all goes as planned. Crawford said he didn’t think he would be allowed to speak, as a non-town resident.
“I’m just upset that those living closest to this have no say in it,” he said.