Vermont Board Rules For Utility, Against Couple

A couple who own property on a mountaintop in Vermont's Rutland County have lost in their bid to prevent construction of a new utility communications tower there.

The state Public Service Board ruled for the Vermont Electric Power Co., saying it could erect the tower against the wishes of landowners Felix Kniazev and Olga Julinska, and will have to pay the couple less than $26,000 in compensation.

The board found the property atop Northeast Mountain in Wells would provide a key link in a new communications project VELCO is building around Vermont.

Julinska and Kniazev say their home, valued at $425,000, will be rendered uninhabitable by the project. They say they plan to appeal the decision to the courts.

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