Politics & Government

Progress on Solar Panels

Two bidders came forth.

Town Manager Chris Whelan reported on Monday night that two companies had stepped forward to bid for the erection of solar panels on town-owned land.

Whelan said he was a bit surprised that only two companies surfaced. Both qualified in their bids, he said.

The low bid was for the cost would be approximately 11.4 cents for electricity generated by panels on the Ammendolia land in the so-called East Quarte and 11.9 cents for the panels proposed for the wastewater treatment plant.

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"It looks like an attractive proposal," said Whelan at the selectmen's meeting.

He said both proposals would be generating about two megawatts, "a significant amount of power," he said.

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On Sept. 27, Whelan said the board would propose the two sites at a hearing, so anyone suggesting another site should step forward before then.

Once the selectmen agree on a location, Whelan said the company with the winning bid would have 60 days to come up with adequate financing for the installation.

"The contract will be awarded in the spring," said Whelan, "with a target of July 1, 2011 for completion.

The selectmen said they had heard from people opposed to the area at the wastewater treatment plant because trees would have to be cut down and the land abuts or nears Sleepy Hollow Cemetery's Knoll.

But Whelan said the land is "rather blighted" at the site and that there are other tracts at the treatment plant that could be used without encroaching on the knoll.


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