TORRINGTON - The public hearing on making Torrington the home of a mid-sized wind turbine is scheduled for tonight, and the preliminary response has been moderately positive, an official said.

Mayor Ryan Bingham said he received a few e-mails and a phone call from constituents saying they support the project. Bingham said he has not heard much in terms of negative reactions to the proposed 199-foot wind turbine that would sit atop 725 Klug Hill Road on the farm of George "Butch" Klug.

Torrington-based Optiwind, a recent clean energy upstart, is scheduled to construct the turbine pending the results of tonight's public hearing, at 7:30 p.m. at the Sullivan Senior Center, 88 East Albert Street.

The company previously tried to get a turbine up in Goshen, although opposition from the public voted caused the project's demise.

David Hurwitt, vice president for the 17-person Optiwind company, urges that the project would create jobs for the city and increase business among city businesses.

With more employees coming to work at the company's 59 Field Street location, more money could be spent anywhere between buying sandwiches in town to ordering steel from a local steel producer, Hurwitt said.

"There's all kinds of tangible reasons why our success should be equivalent to Torrington in general," he said.

The hearing process is a standard affair for anyone who applies for a zoning permit, Hurwitt said, dispelling rumors that the company is receiving special treatment or dispensation from the city.

After the public hearing, the company will either be approved or denied a Planning and Zoning permit, after which it would have to get a building permit, Hurwitt said.

After a building inspector examines the site, the company would get final approval and the project could be underway, he said.

When asked about his opinion on the project, Bingham said he has tried to be a proponent of clean energy.

He noted that Optiwind is a local company that are looking to institute highly technical and engineering jobs.

"So I'd like to see this company succeed," the mayor said. "I certainly applaud Planning and Zoning for doing their due diligence... it's certainly a new concept and something that does warrant further discussion."