Committee member presents conservation letter opposing reduced wind setback in Stamford; board signs on

A Committee member (S6) told the Stamford Select Board that the Conservation Commission and Planning Commission had prepared a joint letter opposing language in a regional plan that explicitly named Stamford as a 'prime location' for wind development and that proposed reducing the residential setback from 1.0 kilometer to 0.5 kilometer. "It's from the conservation commission ... talking about how unhappy we are with the mention, the direct mention of Stamford being prime location for wind and, the the change to 0.5 a kilometer distance from residences from the kilometer that it is in our energy plan," S6 said.

Board members discussed whether to submit a single unified letter signed by multiple local boards or separate letters from each board. Chair (S1) moved to have the Select Board sign the letter or an endorsement to be attached. S1 said, "I'll make a motion that we either sign this or sign it." The motion was seconded and members voted in favor (ayes recorded). The board agreed S6 or administrative staff would place the letter on town letterhead and circulate it for signatures before sending it to the regional planning body.