Chicatelli sails through request for wind farm

By MARK TODD - Staff Writer - mtodd@starbeacon.com
Star Beacon

October 20, 2008 10:40 pm

— CONNEAUT — Councilman-at-Large Jacob Chicatelli Monday night railed against peers” reluctant to consider a contract with the first firm to publicly express interest in a wind turbine project on city-owned land near the state line.
Chicatelli said the city is guaranteed to earn more than $300,000 through a pending contract with SGR Site Associates of Willoughby. Companies that want to lease the land, within the East Conneaut Industrial Park, can’t promise a similar return, he said.
Chicatelli said he will move to revive the SGR contract in time for next week’s regular meeting. The measure, which followed months of negotiation, was tabled for further study
“I will make a motion to bring it off the table,” Chicatelli said. “We need to go forward, not backward.”
Chicatelli gave an emphatic defense of SGR, sometimes at the expense of BQ Energy of New York, a wind energy development company whose representatives gave a presentation a few weeks ago. When Chicatelli’s spirited comments drew a chuckle from Ward 3 Councilman Greg Mooney, Chicatelli called him “immature.”
Ward 1 Councilman Dave Campbell kicked off the whole SGR debate when he referenced a memo sent to council from Law Director Lori Lamer, requesting a decision on the contract. Campbell said he would vote no unless he receives a site plan and financial statement from the company.
Chicatelli went on the offensive at the point, saying the SGR situation “really needs some finalization to it.” SGR has been more than willing to amend the contract to council’s satisfaction, he said.
The last adjustment may be the most significant -- SGR would be willing to lease the city land it needs for its wind farm instead of buying it. Some on council were reluctant to sell the industrial park property outright, believing SGR’s offer is too low.
SGR wants to acquire some 159 acres of park property to create a 2,500-acre tract split evenly between Ohio and Pennsylvania. The company has secured rights to land north of the city parcel and is working to tie up property to the south of the site.
SGR is willing to pay $2,400 an acre for the land, a sum smaller than prices quoted owners of the two larger parcels. Chicatelli said council must understand SGR is talking cold cash to a town desperate for revenue, while other firms say they will pay lease money if turbines are erected on the city land.
Those turbines may never come, based on a conversation with an Ohio Division of Wildlife official, Chicatelli said. Turbines on the city land may impact bird migratory routes, he said.
“We won’t see one windmill,” an exasperated Chicatelli said. “We’re blowing it.”
Since the start of the SGR talks, the city has heard from other companies interested in the land for its wind energy potential. Representatives from the most recent, BQ Energy of New York, gave a presentation earlier this month that impressed some council members.
Chicatelli was not so thrilled, believing the BQ spokespeople were “conceited.”