SeVEDS seeks funding
NEWFANE — NEWFANE - Four representatives from Brattleboro Development Credit Corp. (BDCC) visited Newfane's Selectboard on Jan. 4.
The BDCC reps gave speeches and presented charts in an attempt to convince the board to collect a per-capita fee from Newfane residents to support SeVEDS (Southeastern Vermont Economic Development Strategies).
The Selectboard had questions for the BDCC, mainly around practical applications of their plans.
Some board members asked how SeVEDS was specifically helping Newfane. BDCC Executive Director Adam Grinold said their college internship program had placed an intern at the WW Building Supply and Home Center. When Board Vice-Chair Carol Hatcher asked if the BDCC helped interns find jobs after graduation, Grinold said the program has a 20 percent hire rate.
Board member Dennis Wiswall had a question and a suggestion. He asked Grinold how many other Windham County towns currently supported SeVEDS, to which Grinold did not respond. Wiswall recommended the BDCC might have more success getting support from towns by attending their Selectboard meetings more regularly to exchange information.
“We don't have an engagement policy with the towns,” Grinold replied.
Wiswall told the four BDCC representatives to appeal directly to Newfane's voters by pitching their plan - and the request for funding - at Town Meeting.
Town mulls rules for solar panels
NEWFANE - Planning Commissioner Merle Tessier suggested town officials clarify the zoning laws governing photovoltaic solar panels.
At the Jan. 4 Selectboard meeting, Tessier told the board there are no zoning laws covering them right now, and it creates confusion when a resident seeks the commission's approval for a solar project. Tessier said he has been getting calls about the town's solar panels policy, and he does not know what to do.
He explained that a solar array planned for a rooftop only requires a 15-day waiting period for appeal before the planning commission approves it because it is not a new structure.
But, the approval for ground-mounted solar projects is where things get tricky.
If the project's wattage is for more than 15,000, the state has jurisdiction.
“Under 15,000 [watts], local zoning can cover,” Tessier said, “but we don't have anything” in the town's zoning regulations.
Board member Dennis Wiswall asked if the town should regulate solar panels of any sort if they are for personal use only. Board Chair Todd Lawley said the solar panels are “an eyesore” when located on a neighbor's property line.
Lawley suggested Tessier check in with other town's officials to learn what zoning regulations they have for solar projects. He said the town could consider solar panels as structures. Lawley also suggested Tessier put the issue in the Town Plan.
The Selectboard will revisit the issue.