Solar Project Moves Forward

Westport officials are moving closer to cutting back on their reliance on energy from fossil fuel sources.

The Representative Town Meeting Tuesday night approved about $200,000 to install a 23-kilowatt solar panel system on the roof of fire headquarters.

The town is expected to receive approximately $100,000 in grants for the project, which would cut the cost in half.

First Selectman Gordon Joseloff said one of the issues repeated to him during his campaign a year ago was to increase the town’s energy efficiency.

The project will send a message to Westporters and the residents throughout the state, he said, and will also save on energy costs and help decrease pollution.

”It’s a learning curve,” he said. ”I hope we can invest in other forms of alternative energy.”

Carl Leaman, former selectman who championed green energy initiatives under the Farrell administration, said the solar panel project is the first step in reducing the reliance on fossil fuels.

The project alone will help reduce the town’s summer congestion charges from Connecticut Light and Power, he said.

Not all RTM members, however, were in favor of the project in a 28-4 vote.

Dewey Loselle, RTM District 8, said it’s difficult to be against a solar power project, but the technology is not efficient and Westport is not the best place in the world for one.

He believes there are other ways to save on energy costs, he said.

Hadley Rose, RTM District 3, said every decision the RTM makes cannot be about money.

It also has to be about the good of the community, which includes the region, and the solar project would benefit all.