To the Editor:

The writers opposed to the proposed BESS [battery energy storage system] project in New Scotland have their “alternative facts” wrong. The New Scotland Town Board foresaw that our electrical grid needs to be upgraded — not a right/left or Democratic/Republican issue. The inadequacy of the electrical grid is a national problem, and the more we use electricity, the more we will experience brownouts and blackouts if the grid is not upgraded.

The Town of New Scotland Board and its planning board started working on safety regulations more than two years ago, always keeping up with the latest technology and federal and state laws. Anyone interested could have attended meetings and discussions, informed of dates and times online at the town’s website. The town made examinations of proposals transparent by having them not only at Town Hall but also via Zoom for residents’ convenience.

So, a law was passed before any company approached any landowner.

What is (not) so shocking is the misinformation perpetrated in an election year by some Republicans, especially the chair of the local Republican party. If they had attended any of the meetings while the battery-storage law was being discussed, instead of paying attention only a few months before each election, they could have worked together with the town board instead of attacking one of its best members and spreading false rumors about him.

What their strategy proves is that they don’t know how the town government works. Before a law is passed, there is always — by law — a public hearing. Before the planning board makes a decision, there is always — by law — a public hearing. Where were the people who had concerns to express? That the chair of the local Republican party does not know who is elected and who is appointed is more than surprising; it’s sad, very sad.

The present issue before the planning board has nothing to do with Adam Greenberg, a man who is one of the finest public servants the town has ever had. He loves the town, is so smart, looks at what affects our residents from all perspectives, and is not what one would call a radical liberal or conservative.

He is a farmer and a businessman. He has spent hundreds, if not thousands, of hours working for New Scotland, and has more integrity in his pinky than others have in their entire being. People who accuse him of being self-serving should be ashamed of themselves.

Those who have questions about the BESS project will get answers from the planning board through its process. Our planning board consists of very able people who make sure that every proposal before them will redound to what’s best, safe, and legal for our town. In the meantime, people shouldn’t be fooled by malicious speech, and should turn away anyone who espouses it.

Our town, these last few years, has run smoothly. No scandals, no bankruptcies, no sexual-harassment complaints. The town has welcomed new businesses, conserved open space, established a new park, and expanded the housing stock, while keeping taxes steady. When the town was roiled by the big-box proposal, Republicans predicted the town would fall apart, and they were wrong. The Democrats have been good for this town.

Edie Abrams

New Scotland

Editor’s note: Edie Abrams is a member of the New Scotland Zoning Board of Appeals.