Lee is fond of stating his wind farm is supported by 90 percent of Maine voters, a claim that seems to be based on a thoroughly unscientific poll conducted by Mainebiz magazine earlier this year. That survey may have even less validity in Carrabassett, where Town Manager Dave Cota said it was far from certain that voters would approve taking over Redington, because such a move would be seen as endorsing the wind farm. “There’s a lot of opposition in this community to that project,” Cota said. “A lot of people may view this as an end-around.”
Bob Luce, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, also expressed skepticism. Luce said that while the wind farm could produce a windfall of new property taxes for the town, the annexation could have drawbacks. If the project doesn’t get built, Carrabassett would be left with the responsibility for managing a huge tract of land with almost no extra money to pay for it. Most of Redington falls under the state Tree Growth tax program, which reduces the property taxes the owners must pay. In addition, Luce worries about the huge burden the wind-power project would place on the local planning board, which has few resources. He said he’s undecided on annexation.
“I support the windmills,” he said. “I just think it’s a backdoor way of going around [LURC].”
Lee thinks local voters will be swayed by all the new tax revenue his $180-million worth of wind turbines will generate.
Wait. Did he say $180 million?
That’s $50 million more than the price tag Lee put on the original Redington and Black Nubble proposal back in 2006. Inflation probably accounts for some of that increase, but it also appears Lee is planning to despoil more territory this time around than even some of his supporters thought he should.
Like I said, the guy is persistent.
So, tell me, Doc, how many of these pills in a drink would be fatal?
Find this hard to swallow? E-mail me ataldiamon@herniahill.net.
