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With the town in near universal accord, the Board of Selectmen voted not to sit down for talks with Competitive Power Ventures about locating a power plant on Industrial Road.
Selectmen will also let the company know it intends to oppose the project all the way to the state energy siting board, if it comes to that.
The possibility that Competitive Power will seek to have the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board override opposition so that the fight may not be over.
But with the unanimous vote not to negotiate for payments in lieu of taxes selectmen sent a clear message to the company.
The vocal support of two state legislators buttressed the opposition.
‘‘I will be more than happy to lead the fight,’’ state Sen. James E. Timilty, D-Bristol and Norfolk, said. The views of State Rep. Lou Kafka, D-Stoughton, were in line with his own, he said.
State Rep. Richard J. Ross, R-Wrentham, said the town had the attention of its state representatives. He stressed the power plant isn’t just a Walpole issue, but that it affects surrounding towns as well.
While selectmen and state legislators lined up against the power plant last night, the town has been in agreement against the Competitive Power initiative for some time.
‘‘The overwhelming opinion (of the public) is obvious,’’ resident John Vaillancourt told selectmen.
‘‘This town does come together for the right things,’’ said Joanne Damish, a former selectman.
Out of more than 200 conversations with residents, Board of Selectmen Clerk Michael Caron said no one spoke in favor of the proposal. In six years on the board that hasn’t happened, he said.
Vice Chairman Chris Timson echoed this, saying that up until right before the meeting, he hadn’t heard any support. He held up one letter as the lone exception.
Explaining his vote, Selectman David Sullivan said he listened to the people and what they wanted.
Before selectmen voted, public input touched on the potential for the Competitive Power proposal to continue down other permitting channels.
While Vaillancourt questioned selectmen about what tools the town has at its disposal, another resident told selectmen the town was prepared to continue fighting.
‘‘We’re happy to take our chances’’ without selectmen negotiating an agreement with Competitive Power, Ann Marie Kinnally said.
Selectmen could have chosen to negotiate a payment in lieu of taxes agreement with Competitive Power that would have generated revenue for Walpole in exchange for a break on property taxes.
With the town in near universal accord, the Board of Selectmen voted not to sit down for talks with Competitive Power Ventures about locating a power plant on Industrial Road.
Selectmen will also let the company know it intends to oppose the project all the way to the state energy siting board, if it comes to that.
The possibility that Competitive Power will seek to have the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board override opposition so that the fight may not be over.
But with the unanimous vote not to negotiate for payments in lieu of taxes selectmen sent a clear message to the company.
The vocal support of two state legislators buttressed the opposition.
‘‘I will be more than happy to lead the fight,’’ state Sen. James E. Timilty, D-Bristol and Norfolk, said. The views of State Rep. Lou Kafka, D-Stoughton, were in line with his own, he said.
State Rep. Richard J. Ross, R-Wrentham, said the town had the attention of its state representatives. He stressed the power plant isn’t just a Walpole issue, but that it affects surrounding towns as well.
While selectmen and state legislators lined up against the power plant last night, the town has been in agreement against the Competitive Power initiative for some time.
‘‘The overwhelming opinion (of the public) is obvious,’’ resident John Vaillancourt told selectmen.
‘‘This town does come together for the right things,’’ said Joanne Damish, a former selectman.
Out of more than 200 conversations with residents, Board of Selectmen Clerk Michael Caron said no one spoke in favor of the proposal. In six years on the board that hasn’t happened, he said.
Vice Chairman Chris Timson echoed this, saying that up until right before the meeting, he hadn’t heard any support. He held up one letter as the lone exception.
Explaining his vote, Selectman David Sullivan said he listened to the people and what they wanted.
Before selectmen voted, public input touched on the potential for the Competitive Power proposal to continue down other permitting channels.
While Vaillancourt questioned selectmen about what tools the town has at its disposal, another resident told selectmen the town was prepared to continue fighting.
‘‘We’re happy to take our chances’’ without selectmen negotiating an agreement with Competitive Power, Ann Marie Kinnally said.
Selectmen could have chosen to negotiate a payment in lieu of taxes agreement with Competitive Power that would have generated revenue for Walpole in exchange for a break on property taxes.
‘‘We desire to stand alongside you and fight this,’’ she told selectmen.
Selectmen explained that their chief concern was for the aquifer.
‘‘I cannot get over the issue of putting fuel on our aquifer. I have a vision of these diesel trucks going up there in the winter in the ice and snow,’’ Chairman Al DeNapoli said.
Two subsequent votes concerned the future of the power plant proposal.
The board voted to send a letter to the Walpole state legislative delegation recommending they join a fight currently in the House to amend state law to ‘‘further protect and strengthen the local home rule and jurisdictional authority’’ for cities and towns. The hope is to take away the possibility that the state energy siting board might override the town’s decision.
Finally, a letter will be sent to the owner of 33 Industrial Road, the property where Competitive Power proposes to build the plant. The letter will inform the owner, Tony Lorusso, of the board’s actions.
A previous e-mail communication to the board indicated Lorusso might not sell the property to Competitive Power if the town votes against it, said Selectman Timson.
Jeb Bobseine can be reached at jeb@walpoletimes.com or 508-668-0243, ext. 13.
