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Simsbury Board authorizes filing to seek party or intervener status in Nod Road solar proceeding
Summary
The Board of Selectmen voted April 9 to direct the Town Attorney and staff to file for party and/or intervener status in the Siting Council proceeding concerning a proposed Nod Road solar project and to have the Town Manager oversee the process; specific filing deadlines and estimated tax revenue were discussed but not specified.
The Simsbury Board of Selectmen voted April 9 to authorize the Town Attorney and staff to seek party and/or intervener status in a Siting Council proceeding for a proposed solar project on Nod Road and directed the Town Manager to oversee the application process.
First Selectman Wendy Mackstutis outlined the project's background, meetings with the developer Lodestar and Siting Council process dates, and said the town had an estimate of yearly tax revenue associated with the project (amount not specified in the meeting record). Deputy First Selectman Steven Antonio said the Town should be "an intervener to get the best possible outcome for the Town." Town Attorney Bob DeCrescenzo told the board that an intervener petition must state what the town is seeking and that work on the filing would fall under his retainer; he added that the firm uses a similar form when applying to be a party or an intervener.
Several board members spoke in favor of seeking participation: Mike Paine moved to file for party and/or intervener status and to have the Town Attorney and staff prepare the application, directing the Town Manager to oversee the process. Kevin Beal seconded the motion. First Selectman Mackstutis emphasized that taking steps to participate "is for the best interest of the Town and does not necessarily convey an opposition to the idea of the project." The motion passed unanimously.
Board members asked procedural questions about abutter notifications and the difference between party and intervener status; Attorney DeCrescenzo said the forms and process are similar and that the town would need to state its requested protections or conditions in the filing. The meeting record does not specify the filing deadline or the town's estimated revenue figures discussed at the meeting; those details will be determined as staff prepare the application.
The Town Manager will oversee preparation and submission of the party/intervener application on behalf of the board.
