Williston
ECRWSS PRSRT STD US Postage
PAID
Permit #15 Williston,VT 05495 POSTAL CUSTOMER
AUGUST 31, 2023
WILLISTON’S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1985
WWW.WILLISTONOBSERVER.COM
GlobalFoundries plans solar array off Redmond Rd. BY JASON STARR Observer staff Twenty acres of GlobalFoundries’ vacant Williston property off Redmond Road will be enlisted for solar energy production in a project soon to be considered by the Vermont Public Utilities Commission. The 8,000-ground-mounted-panel array is estimated to produce 3.5 megawatts of energy and is being developed in partnership with Encore Renewable Energy of Burlington. The 10-15-foot-high panels will be set about 80 feet from the road with new plantings to shield the array from view, according to an Aug. 1 filing with the Town of Williston. The parcel is described as an agricultural field so that impact to natural resources will be minimal, the filing states. “The applicant worked with its consultants to configure the project in a way that would maximize the potential energy generation benefits while minimizing environmental and aesthetic impacts,” the filing states. The town is entitled to review the project because of its state-approved “enhanced” Energy Plan finalized in 2019. The Energy Plan lists several considerations for siting new wind and solar projects that are due to receive “substantial deference” see SOLAR page 7
“We’ve asked (Encore Renewable Energy) to look at our entire campus and find suitable locations for developing solar.” Jeffrey Cram GlobalFoundries
Employees and volunteers with the UVM Consulting Archeology Program inspect the soil alongside South Brownell Road last week for archeologically significant artifacts. OBSERVER PHOTO BY RICK COTE
Archeologists clear Superfund site for cleanup
Groundwater decontamination to start in spring BY JASON STARR Observer staff Before the State of Vermont digs toward groundwater around Commerce Street to remove industrial contaminants left by a 20th-century manufacturer, it first needs to be sure not to disturb any archeologically significant native American artifacts. That’s why students, teachers and alumni with the UVM Consulting Archeology Program were sifting methodically through the soil alongside South
Brownell Road last week. And while they found what UVM anthropology professor John Crock described in an email as “a fragment of a precontact era native American stone tool,” the archeologists plan to clear the site as ready for groundwater remediation. “No further archaeological work is necessary,” Crock said. The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation is awaiting a formal report from Crock’s team. “That particular area on the corner of Shunpike and South Brownell road was previously identified to be an archeologically sensitive area,” said Kimberly Caldwell, and environmental analyst
SOCK SALE August 31st - September 2nd
25
% OFF SOCKS
with the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). “If they didn’t find anything, we will be able to proceed with our work with no changes to the plan.” The DEC plans to commence groundwater remediation next spring. It is currently seeking a contractor to do the work. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is funding the remediation through its “Superfund” —federal funds designated for abandoned hazardous waste site cleanup. The contamination at Commerce Street dates back to the 1980s, when Mitec Systems Corporation was mansee DIG page 7
With every pair of Darn Tough & Smartwool socks sold, a pair will be donated to local non-profits serving the homeless. Shop in stores and online at LennyShoe.com Barre, Williston & St. Albans, VT Plattsburgh, NY
Discount applies to regular price socks only. Some exclusions may apply due to manufacturers pricing restrictions.