SUMNER – Selectmen scheduled a hearing for 7 p.m. March 31 on using town land for wind turbines. The hearing will be held at the town office.

Selectman Mark Silber said at Tuesday’s board meeting that he contacted all abutters to a site off Redding Road, except one who is away for the winter. All of them around the 100-acre plot have said they are not opposed to the possibility of three wind turbines on top of the hill.

Kean Engineering has been working with the town on the proposal and will have to erect a tower to monitor the wind for a year at the company’s expense.

Silber said getting the approval of abutters is the first step; next, residents must decide if they favor the project.

Fire house plowing

Fire Chief Bob Stewart expressed his concern about plowing in front of the firehouse doors.

If plowing is not done immediately after a storm, there is ice buildup at the doors, which are 10 feet high. The fire engines are also 10 feet high and can make it in the doors if there is no snow buildup.

Stewart said another concern is plowing has narrowed the parking lot where the 14 volunteers must park their cars when they go on calls.

He said during the weekend storm, they used personal cars to answer calls for directing traffic around downed power lines because they could not get the engines out of the station. The board has set up a meeting with the plowing contractor, Dennis McAlister, to discuss the situation.

Neighbors Care

The Neighbors Care Committee checked on those residents who were without power and all were safe, selectmen were told.

It was announced that Maple Syrup Sunday will be March 22.

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