With Bio Energy’s proposed plan for a new plant on its West Hopkinton site, community members are beginning to form opinions on whether the company should be allowed to burn clean wood chips.

The company is currently shut down and involved in litigation with the town, but Bio Energy officials recently began conversations with selectmen about a new plant, but said they would only go through with the project with community approval.

“We’d back out completely if the town didn’t support the plans. Having the support from the community is very important. We’re open to other things and also open to people just saying no,” said Bio Energy LLC spokesman Mark Dell’Orfano.

Hopkinton resident Jim Loft said his opinion will ultimately come following research on what Bio Energy is proposing.

“I haven’t done all of my homework on the subject. Initially, I thought it was a good idea,” he said. “After reading a little more about it, I realized that the truckloads coming through is really a lot in that area. It doesn’t seem the traffic in that are could handle that, although I’ll still have to do some more research.”

Bio Energy’s proposal includes 40 to 50 trucks per day, compared to 30 to 35 trucks that were used for deliveries before the plant shut down in 2002.

Steve Grady’s thoughts on the plant focus mainly on the extended plans of the proposed plant.

“I would be more looking at the long-term plan for the plant. They have a short-term plan, but what about the future?” he said. “I am interested to see if they are actually interested in the community input as they say they are. People want to know if it’s a business that will be here down the road. We want someone who will deliver a healthy, long-term business.”

Resident Lynn Brofos said despite the new technology Bio Energy is proposing, she still believes there would be a pollution aspect of the plant.

“I don’t think I would want them to (open the new plant). The new plant would still cause a lot of pollution with all of the things involved,” said Brofos.

Dell’Orfano said the company would also be willing to listen to community suggestions for another business that may be able to open on the grounds of the plant, something Brofos said is promising.

“It depends on what they’d be opening, but yes, I would be receptive of a new business there,” she said. “I wish they had done it the first time around. But, yes, it is nice to see that they are willing to listen to the community.”

One reason the plant has specific interest of the town, is the potential tax revenue it could bring in. It is estimated the proposed plant would bring in between $300,000 and $1.3 million in revenues.

“I am glad to hear that the company has stated they are willing to hear the input,” said Elaine Loft, whose family lives close to the plant. “I hope others think it is just as important to give input on the issues. Seeing what kind of industry we want in town is the real question.”