(Zachary Meseck Photo)

GUILFORD – As part of a question and answer meeting in the Town of Guilford Wednesday night, a wind turbine company working to bring turbines to Chenango County said the municipality could see an approximate $1.2 million a year tax revenue increase thanks to the farm.

The meeting was held Wednesday at the Guilford town garage, and individuals asked questions relating to health and safety concerns, local benefits, and the length of the farm's construction.

According to Town of Guilford Supervisor George Seneck, the current tax levy for Guilford is about $909,000 a year.

Calpine Development Director Alec Jarvis said between a payment in leu of taxes (PILOT) agreement and community impact proceeds, Guilford could see an increase of approximately $1.2 million in tax revenue each year, not including the amount made by landowners who leased their land.

"The schools, town, and county will each receive a payment," said Jarvis. "For the PILOT alone, over 30 years, with an annual two percent inflation, that would add up to around $28 million in tax revenue for the area."

"And there's no reduction of the taxes based on wind resources, meaning that our company is taking on the risk for the project."

He said if the project didn't succeed, Calpine has agreed to pay 100 percent of the decommissioning costs, and would have to return the surrounding land back to how it was before construction.