After the paper ballots were tallied, the result was 120 in support of the project and 93 against.

Officials from UPC Vermont Wind were on hand to give a presentation of the proposed wind facility, but that was not to be. In order for nonresidents to speak at a town meeting, two-thirds of the voters must agree to suspend the rules. That motion failed by a show of hands resulting in 105-89 vote.

"There has been enough talk," wind opponent David Zimmerman said. "It's time to vote." He then called the question, a motion supported by Jack Simons, a supporter of the wind project.

This was one point when both sides in the wind debate agreed, with only a handful of voters wanting to continue the discussion.

UPC is planning to seek a certificate of public good from the Vermont Public Service Board late this month or early January to erect 20 398-foot wind turbines between Hardscrabble Mountain, Granby Mountain and Libby Hill. There have been a number of meetings about the project, which has pitted neighbor against neighbor, resulting in some heated discussions.

Opponents, calling themselves the Ridge Protectors, contend the project is too big for a town the size of Sheffield which has a population of 723. They believe the project would destroy their quality of life.

Those in favor of the commercial venture say the town needs extra income to help people with their property taxes. UPC has said the benefit to the town could be from $250,000 to $350,000 a year, but that amount has not been settled yet.

"I'm surprised by the vote," Sheffield Selectman Max Aldrich said. "I am pleased that everyone conducted themselves nicely."

Steve Vavrik, UPC vice president for power sales, said he knew there was support for the project in Sheffield. "We're thrilled, but not surprised," he said. "This will finally put to rest where the town stands."

Vavrik said UPC is eager to move forward to the next step which will be applying for a certificate of public good with the PSB. The process is a lengthy one, Vavrik added. "It's a marathon not a sprint."

UPC also plans to put up six 398-foot turbines in neighboring Sutton near Norris Mountain. Sutton has not scheduled a special vote on the issue, according to Sutton Selectman David McCue. "We're waiting for more information from UPC," McCue said Thursday afternoon.

He said the town has not heard from the wind developers since a meeting with the board Nov. 22. McCue noted that UPC will have to go before the Sutton Planning Board to gain its approval for the project. Sutton has a clause in its town plan that forbids tall structures above a certain altitude.

"I think it will be awhile before we get this issue settled," McCue said, adding the board of selectmen has not taken a stand either way about the project.