Water commissioner steamed

WINSTED — A member of the town’s Water and Sewer Commission expressed his displeasure with one of the town’s selectmen Tuesday night regarding attempts to explore wind power in the Laurel City.

Steve Vaill said at Tuesday night’s Water and Sewer Commission meeting that he was not happy with Selectman Mike Renzullo for what he sees as interfering with an effort to save money for the town. Vaill said he was in the process of investigating the possibility of approving wind power projects in town when Renzullo interceded by sending a strongly critical e-mail to Optiwind in Torrington, the company Vaill and others are talking to about using wind power to supply electricity to the town’s water and sewer services.

“I’m a selectman in Winchester and I have some concerns about your proposed project,� Renzullo wrote. “First, I must inform you, because it appears you are unaware, we formed an Energy Commission in November of 2009. All energy-related projects, from something as simple as changing a light bulb to something like installing a wind turbine, must first be reviewed by the Energy Commission.�

Renzullo added that he thinks Optiwind’s turbine “is the ugliest, most offensive thing I have ever seen,� and that “I hate what your turbine looks like.�

A visibly upset Vaill said Renzullo overstepped his bounds when he sent the letter to Optiwind, first because a specific project has not been determined. “We’ve been working with them to find out if we can get general approval for wind projects,� Vaill said. “We don’t even have a specific project yet.�

Vaill added that, even if town commission members had been pursuing a specific project, Renzullo’s e-mail was out of line, since any real authority would come from the full Board of Selectmen.

“He has absolutely no power to do anything about it,� Vaill said. “I have absolutely no intention of going to the Energy Commission about anything.�

He told fellow water and sewer board members that does not intend to work with the Energy Commission on wind power-related ideas and that he will continue to pursue information through Optiwind. There was no objection from fellow board members or Chairman Richard Nalette, who is coincidentally the father of Energy Commission Chairman Ric Nalette.

“Maybe our plan will fall apart,� Vaill said of the idea for using wind power to generate electricity. “But Optiwind is helping us get through the hoops and to see if the Planning and Zoning Commission will allow it. I have heard estimates of a possible $60,000 to $80,000 savings. I would be overjoyed if we could save just $50,000.�

Reached by phone Wednesday morning, Selectman Renzullo said he thought the issue was a misunderstanding. “Steve and I have spoken about this,� he said. “Steve is a friend. I thought Optiwind was applying for specific approval of one of their projects, when really it’s just general approval of wind in Winsted.�

Renzullo said he maintains his unfavorable opinion about the aesthetics of Optiwind turbines, even as the company has secured a successful partnership with Northwestern Regional High School to generate wind power. And while some might not care what a wind turbine looks like, Renzullo said, “There are a lot of people who are tone deaf and color blind. I can’t speak for someone who has no sense of aesthetic value. To me it’s one of the most important things.�

As to whether or not energy projects must be reviewed by the Energy Commission before being brought to the Board of Selectmen, Vaill and Renzullo appear to still disagree. “I think his opinion is different than mine,� Renzullo said. “Nobody’s trying to be confrontational here. There’s no power struggle going on. The energy commission is just trying to save us money and help make smart choices about our energy situation.�

Renzullo added that he is not up for a battle. “Steve is not going to get a fight out of me. He’s a friend, and if we differ, we differ.�

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