In a special election on Tuesday, Swanton voters said they opposed a proposed wind energy project in town.
Swanton voters were asked whether they opposed a local developer’s plan to bring up to seven wind turbines to a local ridge line. The results showed 731 opposed, 160 in favor of the project.
Before the vote, a representative of Swanton Wind said the select board’s decision to call the vote was hasty, noting the company has yet to file for a certificate of public good from Vermont’s Public Service Board. The company says it will move forward with the application regardless of the outcome of the vote. The Public Service Board will have the final say on whether the project can be built.
A second ballot item asked whether voters supported legislation to give local control to review large scale renewable energy items. That ballot item also passed, 744 to 142.
Swanton’s assistant town clerk says the special election turnout was huge, with 895 ballots cast. Swanton has 3,600 registered voters.
