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Security at
By SUSAN SMALLHEER Security at the Vermont
Yankee nuclear power plant in Capt. John Melvin of the
Sheriff’s Department said Thursday the change was expected and was not a
result of May’s reduction in the national security alert, contrary to
published reports. “The rating really has
nothing to do with it,” Melvin said. He added that if national
security alert levels rise it’s possible the department could be back at the Robert Williams, a spokesman
at Entergy Nuclear, also said there was no decrease in security at the plant
with the shift from the Sheriff’s Department. Since the terrorist attacks
of Sheriff’s deputies, along
with the Vermont State Police and the Vernon Police Department, provided extra
security after Sept. 11, while security contractors Wackenhut Corp. and Hunter
North beefed up their own staffs. “It was a business
decision that looked at all the factors,” Williams said. He added that
Wackenhut and Hunter North would continue providing security, with Wackenhut —
the main contractor — taking over the responsibilities of the Sheriff’s
Department. Williams said Entergy
Nuclear was pleased with the security work done by the department, led by former
sheriffs William Graham and Henry Farnum, as well as current Sheriff Sheila Prue.
Neil Sheehan, a spokesman
for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, said the nation is currently at a
“yellow” alert level, and had been since May 30. The warning level had been
raised to “orange” on April 16, he said, and for the past year had
alternated between the two levels of security. “It’s been up and
down,” Sheehan said. Williams refused to talk
about security levels at the plant, saying the information needed to be kept
secret. “The deputies did an
excellent job out there, in all kinds of weather,” he said. “We now have
Wackenhut officers at that gate.” But he said there wasn’t
any surprise when the $800,000 contract with the Sheriff’s Department lapsed.
Melvin said despite the size of the contract, the loss would not result in any
layoffs or cutbacks at the department. Earlier this year, Stratton
Mountain Resort announced it was ending its long-term relationship with the
Sheriff’s Department, but Melvin said that hasn’t yet come to pass. “We didn’t hire
additional people, and now we’ve got our guys back out on the road. The road
jobs are going solid,” he said. “We have the same people. For the most part,
we have the same number of people we had on Sept. 11.” In large part, Melvin said,
the deputies worked overtime at Vermont Yankee. “They’re glad to have their
lives back,” he said. The Windham County
Sheriff’s Department is one of the largest in the state, with about 55
personnel. It provides policing to many small towns in the county, and has many
private security contracts as well. Vermont Yankee’s contract was the largest.
Contact Susan Smallheer at
susan.smallheer@rutlandherald.com. |