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September 5, 2023 <br /> • <br /> Page 4 of 7 <br /> Supervisor Blomberg stated he would recuse himself from this petition. He owns stock with <br /> Northwestern Wisconsin Electric Company and has been to nearly every annual meeting since <br /> 1991. He feels it would be appropriate if he were not part of the discussion. <br /> Supervisor Blomberg was excused at 9:30 a.m. <br /> Beth Esser, representing One Energy Renewables, has been working with Northwestern <br /> Wisconsin Electric Company (NWE) on the solar project. Ms. Esser submitted documents to the <br /> committee and reviewed them. NWE owns 40 acres in the Town of Webb Lake next to the their <br /> substation. The solar field will have a wildlife-friendly perimeter fence and they can add <br /> permanent vegetation for sheep if there are any sheep farmers in the area. They were able to <br /> present this project to the Town of Webb Lake at their meeting last night. Ms. Esser explained <br /> the fire danger is low. NWE and One Energy will provide training for emergency responders in <br /> case of a fire and have a perimeter set for emergency vehicles. This is a big investment including <br /> a maintenance investment. This is safe to be located next to homes and businesses. <br /> Supervisor Conroy stated these need to be near substations and have a cap on the use. <br /> Ms. Esser stated the bigger projects have new substations built but smaller projects use the <br /> current infrastructure. <br /> Chairman Bickford questioned what happens with hail. <br /> Ms. Esser state they can remote in and can figure out with if there is any damage to a panel. They <br /> are built for wind and snow load. The panels can withstand most weather. <br /> Chairman Bickford questioned if the panels can be recycled. <br /> Ms. Esser stated they are recycled during their decommissioning process. <br /> Public hearing open. <br /> Steve Austin stated the Town of Webb Lake passed a resolution against the location of this. <br /> This is a high-density location and they have fire safety concerns. The World Health <br /> Organization stated residents should not be within 1.5 miles of a solar farm. Mr. Austin <br /> questioned if you can build commercially in an F-1 district. The Town of Webb Lake is not in <br /> favor of this. They are not against solar just the location. <br /> Chairman Bickford referenced, in the letter from the Town of Webb Lake, their board suggested <br /> locating the solar farm on property in the Town of Swiss on a three-acre parcel that NWE owns <br /> and the surrounding property is county owned land. <br /> George Costello stated he is a resident of the Town of Swiss and he read an email from a resident <br /> of the Town of Webb Lake suggesting NWE move this solar farm south of highway of 77 and <br /> CCC Road to an existing substation in the Town of Swiss. As a resident of Swiss, he is against <br /> this. As the need for the additional seasonal power is required for the Town of Webb Lake, it <br /> should be located there. <br /> Mike Hemquist stated the Town of Webb Lake is in extreme fire danger due to many downed <br /> trees. He was informed if there is a fire in the solar panels to let the fires go. Fire Departments <br />