Bring your thoughts to council for proper discussion

September 13, 2013 · 0 Comments

Dear editor:

Response to ‘Will Hill set the record straight etc’

There are several issues referred to in the Malloy’s latest letter.

They refer to a report dated June 1, 2006 from our Planner (public document). It was very comprehensive and covered several issues. Had the Malloy’s followed what happened at that meeting they would have found that Council passed a motion “that the applications of Canadian Hydro Developers be tabled until the Ministry of the Environment makes a decision on the environmental appeals”.

Canadian Hydro was not happy with that motion and filed with the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) to appeal Councils “lack of decision”. In a ruling issued August 9, 2007 (number 2230 about 13 months after Councils motion) the OMB ruled they would not delay its’ order until the MOE issued a Certificate of Approval for noise.

At the same time the OMB was dealing with Phase II in Amaranth and there was a protracted hearing dealing with the issues raised. Our CAO was called to testify at that hearing and ultimately the OMB laid out conditions of approval for the entire project.

I’m not sure where the Malloy’s think there can be 27 more turbines put in Phase II. By-law 19-2007 limits the total number of turbines to 70 (there were 69 erected). Further the By-law requires each turbine to be located within 20 metres of a site specifically marked on a map schedule. The co-ordinates of each location are also included in the text of the By-law. Those provisions ensure that no new turbines or new turbine locations could be added.

Regarding the letter to the Premier, it was sent to her August 13, 2013. Staff had the letter posted on the Township website www.melancthontownship.ca in two areas, under ”Public Notices” and the sub-category “Dufferin Wind Project.” It was posted to the website Aug. 14. It was also on our open session agenda for the September 5, 2013 meeting of Council – the first meeting since the letter was sent. Our intention to have it read by as many as possible, as it highlights the flaws of a draconian piece of Legislation. The words “wind war” were those of the Orangeville Banners Reporter, NOT mine or Melancthon Council.

The Green Energy and Economy Act does not provide for Community Contributions. It is something that is negotiated. All other turbines have been 1.5 megawatt units. The rate of $4000 per turbine was previously set by Council as what was desired. Dufferin Wind has various sizes of turbines (at one point they said as many as 8) therefore a “flat fee” did not work. So we took the $4000 divided by 1.5 and arrived at $2666 per megawatt. That way if there is a 1.6 mw name plated turbine the Township gets $4265. If the turbine is 2.75 mw, the Township gets $7331.

The development of industrial wind farms under the Green Energy Act does not allow a Municipality to dictate terms to a developer. Further if a Developer feels the Township is delaying and not dealing objectively with the development of a road use agreement they can apply under section 41.9 of the Electricity Act 1998 to have an agreement imposed on the Township. On April 12, 2013 Dufferin Wind did that despite many attempts to work out an agreement. It was filed on April 15, 2013 but the Board decided it would delay issuing a Notice of Application until the leave to construct application was concluded. As we know, the concerns of many were set aside by the Board and the Leave to Construct was granted without the expected hearings. The Township was officially notified on July 12, 2013 that the 41.9 application would proceed.

Had that process moved forward, a road use agreement would have been imposed on the Township restricting our input and it would not have included any Community Contribution. After further consultation with our Professional team, Council felt reluctantly that signing an agreement at least gave us some control and the opportunity for input and did provide for a Community Contribution.

While many have concerns about potential effects of turbines, it is clear this Government does not care and they are moving forward with commercial wind farm development regardless of how individuals or Municipalities feel. It is clear looking at how this project has been handled.

In closing, I am not sure why the Malloy’s are making this such a personal attack. When Mr. Malloy filed papers to run for Council in 2010 I called him, thanked him and told him I’d be happy to meet with him, bring him up to date with what was going on with things (i.e. the Mega Quarry, etc.) and he made it clear he did not feel he needed information from me.

If they intend to continue this personal attack in the media, I will not respond. I would be very happy to invite them as a Delegation to Council as we collectively are the decision makers, or if they prefer, they could meet with our CAO and I.

Bill Hill, Mayor

Township of Melancthon