TYRONE - Windmills are one step closer to a reality for Ice Mountain as Gamesa USA ponies up an extra quarter of a million dollars for Tyrone Borough.

Borough Council voted 5 to 2 to sign on with wind developer Gamesa USA for what will be a 30-year lease of parts of its 3,800-acre watershed in Snyder Township. Only Mayor Jim Kilmartin and Councilman Steve Hanzir voted against the deal that will bring $3 million to $5 million in new revenue for the borough.

In addition, Gamesa is giving the borough $250,000 for a yet-to-be-determined community wide project - $125,000 upon signing and another $125,000 when wind farm operations start - as part of a "community improvement agreement."

The council will decide on the project.

In January, a vote ended in a tie. Councilman Bill Latchford won't vote on the issue because of workplace ties to Gamesa. Councilman Mark Kosoglow switched his vote Monday... [continue via Web link]