Staff Writer
CARIBOU — During their Feb. 3 meeting in Caribou, the Aroostook County Commissioners received an overview of the possible Number Nine Mountain Wind Energy Project.
“Horizon is optimistic about the future of this project,” County Administrator Doug Beaulieu reported. According to Beaulieu, the development would require the creation of an electrical transmission line — a serious financial undertaking — to get power to the northeastern market.
While Horizon Wind Energy officials are currently seeking an organization or entity to construct that transmission line, though representatives have said that should a transmission line creator not be found, the company would be willing to construct the transmission line themselves.
Beaulieu and Public Works Director Paul Bernier last met with representatives of Horizon on Jan. 14, and it was estimated that Horizon representatives would be working on the permitting for the massive project this summer with the Department of Environmental Protection and the Army Corps of Engineers.
While there has been some discussion regarding the establishment of a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district for the project, the concept has not yet come to fruition.
“The key is to get them interested in constructing the project and getting all the permitting and transmission line issues resolved,” Bernier said. “Once all that has happened, then we’ll have some serious discussions with Horizon Wind about a TIF.”
Beaulieu also informed the commissioners about the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) transition of the grant subrecipient designation from Aroostook County to the Northern Maine Development Commission. According to Beaulieu, the Department of Labor has approved the transfer, which took place on Feb. 15.
Bids were received by the commissioners for various components of the Houlton based dispatch relocation project including construction, a new radio PC console, call recording system, security camera system, back-up generator and office furniture; the commissioners authorized Beaulieu to award the bids to the apparent low bidder who met the bid specifications.
The commissioners also approved the hiring of Karen Kovach as part-time secretary for the Emergency Management Agency in Caribou per recommendation of EMA director Vern Ouellette.
Upon returning from executive session, the commissioners approved the employee contract extension for Beaulieu and authorized him to take any action necessary in transferring the Workforce Investment Act program to NMDC.
The next meeting of the Aroostook County Commissioners is scheduled for tonight at 5:30 in Houlton.
