MIDDLEBURY — In addition to discussing the future of Creek Road (see story on Page 1A), the Middlebury selectboard on Tuesday also:
• Heard Encore Renewable Energy’s proposal to build a 5-Megawatt solar project on Middlebury College-owned property off South Street Extension, near the Eddy Farm for Horse & Rider. The selectboard and a group of more than 20 people listened intently to the Encore proposal, which is intended to help Middlebury College achieve its goals of carbon neutrality.
The proposal has drawn fire from folks who live and walk along South Street Extension. The selectboard has asked the Middlebury Planning Commission to review the solar farm proposal and share its thoughts to better inform the board, which will hold another public meeting on the plan at which it will accept public comments.
• Approved a series of temporary traffic circulation and parking rules that will be in effect during a 10-week shutdown of Main Street and Merchants Row, beginning next May. That shutdown will allow for installation of a new tunnel that will replace the two downtown rail bridges.
• Agreed to sign a letter supporting Middlebury Electric’s renewed efforts to secure federal permitting for a hydro project at the Otter Creek Falls.
The Independent will present more complete reports on the solar project and traffic circulation plans in our Monday, Nov. 18, edition.