SEARSBURG, Vt. - Free tours will be offered at Green Mountain Power Corp.’s renewable energy wind facility in Searsburg, Vt., on Saturday, Sept. 8.The Center for Ecological Technology, based in Pittstfield, Mass., coordinates the tours, which start at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. The Berkshire Renewable Energy Collaborative sponsors the tours.
The wind farm, located on Searsburg Mountain, was the one of the first commercial-scale wind power facilities constructed in the Northeast. Since 1997, eleven 550-kilowatt wind turbines have been producing electricity. Tour guides from Vermont Environmental Research Associates will cover topics ranging from the selection of the site, public acceptance, how the technology works, wildlife protection and the potential for wind power in this region.
“This is a unique opportunity to visit a wind farm that produces as much as 14 million kilowatt-hours of renewable energy annually. Seeing the turbines up close gives visitors a chance to better understand this clean, local form of energy production,†said Nancy Nylen, associate director of CET and coordinator of BREC. “The tours also give residents from communities that are considering wind power a chance to see firsthand what’s involved.â€
Tour guides will cover issues that may affect the energy future of the Berkshires and participants will be able to ask questions. The Searsburg wind facility is only open for tours on a limited basis between July and October because it includes a protected black bear habitat.
Additional tours are planned for Wednesday, Sept. 19, Wednesday, Oct. 3, and Saturday, Oct. 13.
Space is limited to 20 individuals per tour. Reservations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis by contacting CET at 413-445-4556 Ext. 25 or at cynthiag@cetonline.org. Directions to the site will be provided.
BREC is an ad hoc committee comprised of individuals representing educational, environmental, community and business interests. For more than they years, they have been working to promote energy conservation and increase the availability of renewable energy in the region. CET coordinates the activities of the BREC.
Support for this event comes from the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust. CET is an equal-opportunity service provider and is funded in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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Lanesborough Town Meeting to Vote Budget, Bylaws & Vehicle Purchases
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Tuesday's annual town meeting includes a $14 million operating budget, new short-term rentals, accessory dwelling units and sign bylaws, and free cash article appropriations.
Voters will gather at Lanesborough Elementary School on June 9 at 6 p.m. to decide on 20 warrant articles.
The fiscal 2027 budget is up a little over 10 percent. Some of the main increases are the Mount Greylock Regional School District and McCann Technical School: the McCann assessment is up more than 30 percent based on factors including enrollment and the school renovation project, and Mount Greylock's is up 11 percent.
Article 11 is for the town to vote to approve from free cash the sum of $16,298.48 for the McCann Technical School roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget. Article 3 is appropriate $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School assessment.
Another notable increase was in life and health insurance, showing an increase of about 26 percent.
Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. One of the articles asks the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses.
Many town departments are looking for new vehicles. The Fire Department is looking to replace its outdated 1996 fire engine. There are two articles related to the truck at a total of $813,366. Article 12 would transfer $225,000 from free cash into the Fire Truck Stabilization Fund; Article 13 would transfer $605,000 from the fund and authorize the borrowing of $208,366.08.
The total includes a $100,000 contingency cost to cover any additional costs if a 2026 model-year chassis cannot be secured before new emissions standards go into effect in 2027.
The board at its last meeting moved the $225,000 transfer to come before the borrowing article, changing the stabilization number. If the $225,000 is not voted on, then they will amend the next article's number on the floor, subtracting the $225,000. This shows the borrowing number significantly lower.
Article 17 asks for the transfer of $80,000 from free cash to replace a police cruiser.
Police Chief Rob Derksen's aim is to replace one vehicle every other year, meaning the oldest vehicle gets replaced about every 10 years.
He stressed that if delayed this year, the town may have to double up in a future year to get back on schedule, and that paying later usually costs more. The article will ask for $80,000 from free cash, the vehicles used to be funded by the BHRD.
Lastly, the Highway Department is looking to replace a 2014 International dump truck that will be a total of $330,000 and will take two to three years to receive.
Money will be used from last year's approval of $250,000 from free cash for the replacement of a 2012 highway front-end loader that was underspent $49,261. Town meeting is being asked to approve a transfer of $53,274.85 from free cash and the use of $227,464 from funds from the Sale of Town Real Estate to fund the balance.
Other free cash proposals include $1,200 to purchase software to support tracking and ongoing maintenance schedules of town-owned vehicles; $42,000 for the replacement of the Highway Department's storage shed roof, $200,000 to reduce the tax levy.
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