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Ardentown hears Delmarva route alternative and advances ordinance restricting transmission infrastructure
Summary
At its Sept. 9 meeting, Ardentown trustees reviewed a proposed alternate route for Delmarva Power’s 2026 tower replacement, approved sharing Ardencroft’s plan with Delmarva and state officials, and held a first reading of a local ordinance that would ban new transmission towers within village boundaries and impose an annual impact fee.
Ardentown’s Town Chair, Melissa Parsonson, presented an alternate routing proposal for Delmarva Power’s planned 2026 replacement of towers and transmission lines that would move infrastructure to the Sunnyside Tract to avoid cutting through village homes and forests. Parsonson said the plan affects “over 60 properties” and that "this is a unique opportunity to change the path and not endanger homes and forests in the heart of our village."
Trustees moved to allow Ardencroft’s “alternate route for power lines” plan to be shared with Delmarva Power and state officials as an option for their consideration. The motion passed with a recorded outcome of “All in favor with 3 abstentions.” Town officials noted the village’s lawyer, Ted Rosenthal, is working on Delmarva easement and right-of-way issues and cautioned that Delmarva’s existing easements appear legally strong.
At the same meeting, the trustees conducted the first reading of a proposed ordinance titled “Transmission Line Infrastructure.” The ordinance’s findings, as read at the meeting, list environmental and health concerns including pesticide impacts on native plants, reported high lead levels in soil near existing towers, possible exposure to electromagnetic fields, property-value effects, and alleged prior Delmarva noncompliance with agreements. The ordinance would prohibit new high-voltage transmission lines and related tower infrastructure within Ardentown and within 500 feet of any Ardentown residential housing units, and would authorize an annual impact fee on Delmarva or its successors. A second reading is scheduled for the November 2024 town meeting with a vote planned for February 2025.
Trustees and committee members discussed outreach to neighboring communities affected by Delmarva’s plan and requests for clearer maps to inform residents. The trustees also created a small ad hoc committee to coordinate village responses and interactions with Delmarva; Stuart Craig reported a Google Doc summarizing interactions will be posted on the town website.
The meeting minutes record both the nonbinding motion to share Ardencroft’s proposal and the formal first reading of the ordinance; neither action by itself changes Delmarva’s rights under existing easements. The minutes also note that legal counsel is engaged and that the three Ardens (Ardentown, Ardencroft, Arden) are coordinating input as Delmarva’s planning continues.
Next steps: the ordinance moves to a second reading in November and a formal vote is planned for February 2025; the ad hoc committee will continue to compile materials and liaise with Delmarva and state officials.
