Although the quorum court agenda on August 20 did not include anything regarding the planned wind turbine complex south of Green Forest, the subject continued to occupy much of the evening.
During public comments, Dave Iadarola spoke on behalf of Scout Clean Energy, the company planning the wind farm. He said the Federal Aviation Administration has ruled that the project will not create aviation hazards, and lights on the towers will only come on when an aircraft is in the area.
Iadarola also said the number of towers has been reduced from 40 to 30. Justice of the Peace Kellie Matt asked about an emergency response plan, and Iadarola said Scout representatives will be meeting with local fire departments. JP Jack Deaton asked if the recently placed construction trailer has required documentation on site, and Iadarola said the information will be on hand when the trailer has electrical power.
Former County Judge Richard Williams responded to a comment from Deaton at the July 16 quorum court meeting. Williams has been one of the most vocal opponents of the wind farm, but Deaton said the topic had come up while Williams was in office.
Deaton said if Williams had taken steps at that time, the county would have had the authority to regulate the towers. Last week, Williams explained that he did not take action because he was told the average wind speed would not justify installing the turbines. “Why worry about getting rid of something that’s not supposed to happen?” he asked.
Caroline Rogers asked if Scout planned to meet with concerned residents. She said the narrow Carroll Road 905 becomes more difficult after a rain, and wondered if delivery and construction of the wind turbines would cause any road closures.
Iadarola said Scout plans another public meeting, but a date has not been set.
Rogers also asked if the county planned any public meetings, but County Judge David Writer said opponents of the project did not take advantage of their opportunities at two previous meetings, and that the county had nothing to do with private contracts. His only responsibility is to ensure that Scout complies with the road-use agreement the company has created with the county.
Bobby Wilson has insisted the county follow up with a study of a land-use management ordinance created in 2011. JPs had voted to create a committee to tackle the issue, but no progress has been made toward that end. Wilson said he was speaking on behalf of other neighbors who were unable to attend.
JP Hunter Rivett, who represents Wilson’s district, said he had not received any direct communication on this, other than a “cryptic and anonymous letter.” Rivett said he invited calls or letters with return addresses, and also suggested a local meeting within District 4.
In other business:
- A resolution confirmed the appointment of Walt Kenyon to the Carroll County Airport Commission. JP John Howerton, who represents the quorum court at CCAC meetings, described Kenyon as “a solid guy” with a plane hangared at the airport.
- A resolution confirmed the reappointment of Dean Lee and Linda Tamayo to three-year terms on the Mercy Hospital Board.
- A resolution confirmed the appointment of Jack Hudgens to the Board of Commissioners of the Eastern Carroll County Ambulance District. Hudgens will fill a vacant position, and his term will run through the end of 2028.
- An ordinance rescinded an unused mechanic position at the Road Department. The funds will remain in the Road Department budget and may be used to raise wages of other positions.
- An ordinance appropriated $13,000 to replace a large walk-in refrigerator at the Detention Center. The existing refrigerator is about 10 years old.
- Money from the sales tax funding the county jail can also be used for county roads, and $418,000 was appropriated from that fund to purchase three dump trucks. Deaton said the new tri-axle trucks will have less of an adverse effect on county roads than the aging 10-wheeled trucks currently in use.
- A vacant position in the County Clerk’s office will be changed to a part-time position to assist with elections.
- During JP comments, Deaton cited a newspaper article which noted that Treasurer Makita Williams has been elected to serve as Treasurer on the executive board of the Arkansas County Treasurers’ Association.