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Article from Greenfield Recorder Hydro-generator Proposal for old mill passes initial testby Diane Broncaccio - Recorder StaffAugust 9, 2000 - Turners Falls - The Montague Planning Board decided Tuesday night that a group hoping to buy and operate the hydroelectric turbine in the old Strathmore Paper mill won't need to go through a sub-division hearing process. But their business plan - and the fate of the rest of the old paper mill complex - could come under scrutiny as the proposal goes to the town Zoning Board for special permits. Peter Clark, William Fay and W. Davis Hobbs of Thorndike are hoping to purchase the small electricity-generating turbine, now owned by International Paper Co., in the nearly vacant former Strathmore Paper mill. According to Hobbs, the turbine generator was rebuilt in recent years and can produce about 950 kilowatts per hour of power. After much deliberation about right-of-way issues, the Board decided the plan didn't require subdivision procedures because the proposed use - to make electricity- didn't constitute a change from the current use there. But yard setbacks and parking will require special permit variances, according to town Building Inspector David Jensen. Jensen said the plan to own property inside an existing building doesn't meet setback requirements, which call for 15 feet of side yard setback and 30 feet of rear yard setback. It also doesn't provide for any parking. Jensen said these issues would have to be addressed by the Zoning Board, which would also have the authority to consider what happens to the rest of the Strathmore complex. Since 1997, various tenants who leased portions of the old Strathmore building from Indeck Energy Systems had negotiated with International Paper to buy portions of the old mill complex, but no deal was struck. When asked by residents Tuesday about what happens to the rest of the building, IP lawyer, Felicity Hardie, said she did not know. In the late 1800's, many of the old brick mills within the sprawling, 14 building complex had waterwheels to produce power for their own industries, but nearly all the water rights have since been acquired by Northeast Utilities. The turbine in the Strathmore mill is one of the last remaining independent electricity generators, Jensen said. The three men are already in the business of providing water-generated power in other Massachusetts communities. Hobbs' company, D. Hobbs Contracting, produces electricity with water wheels at 12 sites, including Palmer, Lowell, Sturbridge Village and Winchendon, according to Hobbs. Clark owns a company called Swift River Company, which also produces electricity from hydropower in Maine and in Wilbraham. "It's 'green power; it's not polluting and it's renewable. We believe (water power) helps everybody. This way, some of the dirty power plants won't have to run as much." If all goes as planned, the three will acquire the Strathmore water wheel and secure the same agreement that International Paper presently has with NU's Cabot Station. When the water level is low, the utility pays IP not to generate electricity, saving the water power for Cabot Station, which can generate 30% more electricity with the higher water power, Hobbs said. But when the water level is high, both hydro plants are in operation. Hobbs said his company would probably develop a base of local customers or would possibly sell the electricity it generates back to the utility. When the Planning Board hearing began in July, members had questions with "the changing footprint" for the subdivision plan, since the dimensions varied on each floor. The project engineer has since submitted revised floor plan that satisfied the Board. On Tuesday, three members voted to waive a subdivision requirement and two other members abstained from voting. William and Alan Blanker of Esleeck Manufacturing Co. raised concerns abut whether the road passing in front of the complex, parallel to the paper mill, should be considered a right-of-way for the project. They said Esleeck would have to grant right-of-way for use of the roadway they control and may require any business using that access to insure them against liability. However, the Board said it believed International Paper's right-of-way would be transferable to the new owners. You can reach Diane Broncaccio at: dbroncrecorder.com For More Information Contact: |
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