Laidlaw Energy Group, Inc.(fka LLEG)

[rich sears]

Council is against Laidlaw’s purchase of mill site
By Sally Manikian
BERLIN — The Mayor and Council have restated their opposition to the use of the former Fraser mill as a biomass site. “I want to go on record as not supporting this project in the City of Berlin,” said Councilor Tim Donovan. “They are trying to force something down our throat that we do not want. We run this city, this is our city.” “The presence of that structure is really impeding economic development on a lot of levels,” said Councilor Tom McCue. Mayor David Bertrand, during the meeting’s work session, had raised the devaluation caused by a downtown biomass plant in connection to the development of a casino as well as neighborhood stabilization and rehabilitation in the lower east side. News of the closing on the property was broken by the Berlin Daily Sun on Monday, Jan. 5. The news confirmed rumors that had been circling the week previous, as City Manager Pat MacQueen mentioned in his Manager’s Report. In June, the Mayor and Council passed a special zoning ordinance directed at new energy projects in Berlin that requires a series of special reviews by the City of Berlin. The purpose of the ordinance, as described in the ordinance itself, is to encourage the development of “properly located Energy Projects” and the “responsible evaluation of these Energy Projects.” This was in reaction to public hearings related to the Master Plan update, during which citizens indicated a desire to locate energy related facilities within the community of Berlin, but outside the downtown area. Since the state of New Hampshire has its own site plan review process for all projects over 30 megawatts, the Berlin ordinance would apply directly only to those projects less than 30 megawatts, said City Planner Pam Laflamme. An example of this is Clean Power, whose biomass facility will produce 20-27 megawatts. In all other proposals, such as Laidlaw’s, this ordinance can be disregarded by the state, or used in concert with the state process depending on the project proposed. Despite the lack of strict application of the zoning ordinance to Laidlaw, the Council expressed their insistence on maintaining control. “Through this process, our zoning and planning boards are going to be besieged,” said Councilor Donovan, who insisted that the Council is apprised of any information or applications before they reach the boards. “We do have the authority in this particular situation,” he said. “All boards are advisory.” Councilor Ron Goudreau supported Councilor Donovan’s comments, encouraging the Council to “take an active role” in enforcing strictly any noise and pollution ordinances. “If they cross the line by a fraction of an inch I will nail them,” he said. “I have never been so close minded to something,” he said, “but if anything comes to this Council, my vote is no already. It doesn’t belong here.” The Mayor and Council passed a resolution that any correspondence regarding the former mill property that is addressed to the planning or zoning board be copied to the Council. Councilor McCue voted against it, saying “I don’t know if we need a resolution.” “A resolution in force says we speak for all and it’s very clear,” said Councilor Donovan.

http://www.breporter.com/118510.113119body.lasso