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Weekly Blast!: Recently I completed a seminar series regarding utility solar and wind projects and their real or potential impacts on local communities. As you probably know by now, local municipalities (towns/villages/cities) have very little control over large-scale utility projects. In the Town of Grant’s experience that meant a utility solar project 100 megawatts and larger. The control and decision regarding both Portage Solar (in construction now) and Vista Sands Solar (construction slated mid 2027) lies solely with the three-member board of the Wisconsin Public Service Commission. The T. Grant, along with the Town of Plover have more experience in the utility solar arena than many of the seminar participants. Some never heard of it, some were in the middle of it, and others were “knee-deep” in it like us. T. Plover Chairman Jim Garbe and I recently met with newly elected Portage County Executive Eric Olson to apprise him of our Joint Development Agreements (JDAs) with our two solar projects, and the responsibility that Portage County has to help us uphold their contents. There are decades ahead to consider and millions of dollars that the county will receive because of these projects. Chair Garbe already noted potential breaches of the JDA by Portage Solar. These are legal contracts that must be upheld as they represent the only mechanisms we have to keep the projects protective of our respective municipalities.   If you are a landowner that has a lease with a solar company or is considering one there is information below of an upcoming seminar that might be of interest to you. It is hosted by UW–Madison Division of Extension. The work is funded by an award from the US Department of Energy and is part of a broader project to help Wisconsin communities plan for and respond to changes in the energy landscape. For more information about the project see the RESET website (go.wisc.edu/reset). Please note that this is educational content only, not legal advice. Consult legal counsel for regulatory decisions.   Navigating Solar Leases for Wisconsin Landowners (Register)July 10 | 12–1 pm (Zoom) Designed for farmers and rural landowners, this webinar covers: Key solar lease terms and payment structures Evaluating and negotiating offers Tools to compare proposals and protect your interests Have a good weekend, Sharon

Posted on , by Dado

Weekly Blast

Town Supervisors have received both complaints and compliments regarding the right-of-way brushing that has occurred this winter season. Before I get to either, please be informed that if you see a crew along any lettered roads (for example F, FF, W, WW, or U) those are county roads. The Town of Grant is also bordered by state roads of 54 and 73. All the others are most likely town roads (although there are some private roads in the Town also). This should help you be aware of the various jurisdictions and whose crew may be out there cutting.

Complaints received have regarded the amount of brush lying near the road or lying in the ditches or swales. This year the Town budgeted $15,000 to purchase a (likely used) chipper. A chipper will allow the crew to cut brush and then blow the mulch onto the ground [Note: any merchantable timber belongs to the landowner]. As soon as possible now, the town crew will do their best to remove wood debris left in the ditches and swales to prevent flooding of these low areas, plugging culverts, etc.

If you are interested, the Oral Ruling of the two lawsuits: Heather Grys-Luecht et al. versus the Town of Grant et al. will be heard on Monday March 16 at 3:30pm in Circuit Court 3 of the Portage County Courthouse. To date, the cost of these lawsuits has exceeded $77,000 of taxpayer dollars.

The weather, including wicked winds and substantial snow is expected Saturday-Monday. Be careful out there and enjoy the snow (and hope it’s not TOO much)! Sharon