Siting solar projects in Norwich

As Solar Siting Sub-committee Chair in Norwich, I will clarify some points in Frances Mize’s recent article (“Solar energy generates debate”; July 6).

The goal published by the Planning Commission is: “to make changes that allow our plan to qualify as an enhanced energy plan. This designation will give the town’s plan ‘substantial deference’ with the state Public Utility Commission in solar siting projects.”

A related goal is “to align our town plan language with the more regulatory use of this document in the state net-metered solar siting process. Since zoning by-laws are not used in these proceedings, the town plan must stand on its own and clearly delineate the town’s desires around siting.

The town plan is the best way to guide the PUC in knowing what the town wants and doesn’t want in terms of solar development.

The current plan states “For solar generation projects sized from 15kW to 500kW the presumption is that all of Norwich meets the Public Utility Commission definition of ‘preferred site’, notwithstanding the existing areas of local concern including the Ridgeline Protection Overlay Area, Shoreline Protection Overlay Area and the historic village district.”

Beyond this statement, the plan is vague and contradictory. For example, it talks about “guiding development away” from steep slopes, from visually prominent locations on ridgelines, but doesn’t clarify what is a steep slope or what is a ‘”visually prominent location.” The PUC requires specificity in the regulatory review and we are editing for this purpose.

We hold public meetings and post updates of the edited document, tracking the changes for full transparency.

One last point: I would like to correct the statements about Annette Smith. Vermonter of the Year in 2016 and executive director of Vermonters for a Clean Environment, Annette was invited by Jaan Laaspere to join the meetings. She has helped us (at no financial cost) focus on how to write regulatory town plan language that is meaningful to the PUC, which means being specific. Her guidance has been valued by all members of the subcommittee.

Mary Gorman

Norwich

The writer is a member of the Norwich Planning Commission and chairs the Solar Siting Subcommittee.

Vermont GOP
has gone astray

Shame on the Vermont Republican Party for setting aside its own rules and endorsing not only a convicted felon, but a man also convicted of business fraud and sexual assault. Does Paul Dame think he’s going to get some fat job in a Trump administration for selling his soul? Donald Trump couldn’t give a flying fig for a few suck-ups with little money or power from Vermont. No, Mr. Dame, all you’ve done is embarrass yourself and your state, and dishonour the legacies of real Vermont Republicans named Coolidge, Aiken, Stafford, Davis, Jeffords, Snelling, Douglas and even Gov. Phil Scott.

Well done.

Curt Albee

South Strafford

Key election points

Even though the upcoming election feels unsettled, there are three things that remain clear:

Our democracy is safer in the hands of people who accept the results of elections.

Our country is safer with those who don’t want Ukraine to fall.

Our freedoms are safer with those who respect our right to choose.

Vivian Dolkart

Grantham

When scythes were common

Steve Taylor’s piece about scythes (“Masters of the craft”; July 1) brought back many memories. I can attest using a scythe is not easily learned. To this day I knock down more grass than I cut when I use a scythe.

When I was in high school in the early ’60s, many of my classmates had summer jobs with the Vermont highway department using scythes to mow the grass along the state highways. Despite the patient highway workers who supervised the youths and tried to teach them how to properly sharpen and use a scythe, many never really got proficient.

Bob Thompson, the father of a classmate at Bradford Academy, was one who made cutting with a scythe look so easy. I remember he would cut the grass around the veneer mill each summer and how smooth his swing was. Despite missing several fingers on one hand he could grasp the scythe and swing it with a rhythm, neatly laying down the grass.

Gary W Moore

Bradford, Vt.