Article published Dec 21, 2007

County delays windmill decision

In a special holiday meeting Friday, Cascade County commissioners delayed a decision to erect a windmill next to the county’s new road and shop complex in the Manchester area.

The county might be able to generate all the power the complex needs from a wind turbine, expected to cost nearly $200,000. Officials say the project should pay for itself in 22 to 23 years. Commission Chairman Lance Olson said the county plans to act on the proposal sometime in January.

“We’re investigating further technical data,” Olson said at the meeting, held on a Friday because of the upcoming Christmas holiday.

The complex is scheduled to be completed by June in the Manchester area northwest of Great Falls along Interstate 15. A windmill would be erected in time for the building’s opening. The estimated cost is $192,179, minus a $10,000 grant Western Community Energy is seeking from NorthWestern Energy, Montana’s dominant utility.

Also at the meeting, commissioners reappointed four County Planning Board members and announced they are trimming the size of the board back from 11 to nine members.

Commissioner Peggy Beltrone said the board’s size should be “a little bit more manageable” at nine. Reappointed to two-year terms were Bill Austin, Jan Popa, Mick Kessell and Leonard Lundby.

Commissioners also reappointed Tim Wilkinson and Jim Edwards to two-year terms on the County Zoning Board of Adjustments, and named C. Tracey Micheletti and Tommy Stiffarm to four-year terms on the Native American Local Government Commission.