Published on May 19, 2010

ALBANY — The proposed Lowell Mountain wind project won a split decision at a special Town Meeting here Tuesday night.

One hundred voters crowded the town hall to decide that Albany should seek party status when the project is considered by the state Public Service Board.

But in a second vote, they decided not to oppose the project.

As interpreted by Moderator Marcellus Cubit, the 45 to 56 defeat of a motion to oppose the project doesn’t mean that Albany supports the Lowell wind project.  The consensus at the meeting was that, with party status, the town could weigh in on issues that affect its residents, like water pollution.

The practical effect of the decision to seek party status, however, was put in some doubt when voters turned down a $25,000 assessment to fund that effort.

In a meeting marked by cheerful civility and the absence of lengthy debate about the merits of the wind project itself, voters quickly agreed to split the first question on the agenda.

As warned, that was “to request party status from the Public Service Board in order to oppose the Lowell Mountain Wind Project.”

An amendment proposed by Marion Cubit to vote first on party status, then on opposition, passed easily, 71 to 29.

On party status, the vote was 67 to 34 in favor.

After voters declined to oppose the project, several townspeople asked if there was any point to raising taxes to send someone to the Public Service Board hearings.  Selectman Chris Jacobs moved that $25,000 be raised.  He said $12,000 might go to pay someone $200 a day to attend an estimated 60 days of hearings.  The $13,000 balance would be available for legal consultation, Mr. Jacobs said.

On a $100,000 property, he estimated, the assessment would raise taxes by $15.

But his motion  went down by a vote of 38 to 56.

A local attorney, Angela Ross, explained that party status would mean that “we get to be involved in the process.”

Without it, she said, the town would be unable to present any evidence to the Public Service Board, which operates much like a court.

Without party status, said Mr. Cubit, the moderator, if Albany sent representatives to the board hearings, “we sit in the back corner, and don’t have any input at all.”

The three-member board will decide whether or not the project, proposed by Green Mountain Power, will get the necessary certificate of public good.

Albany residents received a postcard this week from Green Mountain Power and Vermont Electric Cooperative, which plans to buy some of the wind project’s power.

After a few words about the merits of the project, it urged all Albany voters to “attend the meeting and cast your vote about whether you wish to oppose the project, and, importantly, how much you are willing to increase Albany’s town taxes should you choose to oppose it.”