FOUNTAIN SPRINGS - As has been the case for more than six months, the issue involving wind turbines again dominated the Butler Township supervisors meeting Tuesday evening.

The township municipal building was again filled to standing-room only with township residents and others who oppose the proposed project planned by Broad Mountain Development Co. LLC, a Rich family company.

Broad Mountain has a proposed locating 27 wind turbines in the Fountain Springs area, a plan strongly opposed by local residents due to health concerns, possible environmental damage and harm to the natural beauty of the area.

Before the discussion began, supervisors Chairman Kevin Kowalick, who is a Republican-Herald employee, reminded residents that a township zoning hearing board meeting will be held at 7 p.m. today in the North Schuylkill Junior/Senior High School auditorium to hear the validity challenge by Broad Mountain regarding the township zoning ordinance. The challenge regards the absence of wording allowing for the use of wind turbines - commonly called windmills - in the township.

Supervisors Vice Chairman David Kessler said the legal challenges involved in gaining some control in regulating such a project will be an uphill battle. He said he discussed the issue with township solicitor Christopher Riedlinger and a land attorney.

"After further discussion with Chris and the new attorney involved with this thing, it looks pretty much like we're fighting a losing battle," Kessler said. "I don't know where we're going to go on this and where we're going to end up. The only thing I have right now is the fact that if the lawsuits that are against us go to court and we lose, we have no opportunities, we have no options, we have no negotiation power at all."

Kessler said one possibility is to consider negotiating with Broad Mountain.

Riedlinger said there is not certainty about how a judge might rule in a case and such possibilities must always be considered.

There were several times that the crowd challenged the supervisors on their methods in fighting Broad Mountain's challenges and the wind turbines plans.

"I try to stay level-headed, I try to fight the good fight, I try to help the township because I'm a resident of the township," said Marc Burlile. "I don't want to see us lose this, but I'm ... sure I don't want to have this rammed down my throat and people get away with stuff."

"If you think for one minute any one of the three of us sitting on this board don't want to help this township ..." Kessler said.

"That's the impression you're giving us," someone shouted.

"I don't want to make it sound like I'm attacking you," Burlile said. "We have people here who have taken oaths of office - some elected, some appointed. And for someone who is outside this township to come in here and tell us that they're going to do what ... they want to do no matter how much we say 'no' is a crock. And there are things in place that we can use to fight the battle.

"The bottom line is that I want to see this township win this," Burlile said.

"But if we have to get this forced down our ... throats, then let's make them abide by the rules and regulations. There are federal laws, there are state laws," he added.