Petition-driven moratorium on wind farms prompts special meeting
RUMFORD — Despite a lack of proposed commercial wind power development projects in town, backers calling for a 180-day moratorium on such projects still believe the action is warranted.
That’s why the Rumford Wind Power Education Committee continued to seek signatures this fall on its moratorium petition even after selectmen voted against holding a special town meeting to put the matter before voters.
Now, that’s a moot point.
At last Thursday’s selectmen’s meeting, the committee submitted its petition with more than the required 500 minimum signatures. This week, Town Clerk Jane Giasson verified and certified 774 signatures.
On Tuesday morning, Town Manager Carlo Puiia announced that selectmen will convene a special meeting at 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, in the town hall Jury Room to set a date, time and location for a special town meeting vote on a 180-day moratorium on commercial wind farms.
Committee spokesman Len Greaney said selectmen have 45 days in which to schedule a special town meeting to vote on the moratorium.
“We’re all guessing, but we want to have a moratorium because there are so many stratagems out there now,” Greaney said Tuesday afternoon in Rumford.
“And, I want to get the facts, because I’m still neutral,” he said. “I’m data-driven. I will believe some people, but I won’t totally believe them until I get the facts.
“So, I’m pushing to get the facts,” Greaney said. “Like, for example, does the Rumford Power Co. really see this as a plus or a minus?
“They were only operable 22 days last year,” said the former Rumford town manager. “So, what does it mean when wind power comes? Do they shut down? Do they care?
“We just don’t know the answers to those things, so we feel we have to go to the horse’s mouth to try and get some information,” he added.
The committee, Greaney said, comprises eight or nine people who meet on Monday nights.
“We have one person from Roxbury, and now and then, one from Dixfield and one from Mexico, so this is a regional type of approach,” Greaney said. “We’re focusing on Rumford, but we’re trying to help other people, as well, with clarity.”
At last Thursday night’s selectmen meeting, Matthew Kearns, vice president of business development for Boston-based wind power developer First Wind, said they’re still mulling the idea of erecting a wind farm on Black Mountain, and North and South Twin mountains in Rumford.
They’re still conducting meteorological wind tests and trying to find a turbine capable of handling Black Mountain’s extreme wind gusts, Kearns said. He also said their turbine manufacturer suggested they move lower on the mountain.
In addition to pushing for a moratorium, Greaney said the committee will start holding educational workshops “to get the right information” out to selectmen and the public.
“So, we’re not stopping. We’re not going away,” he said. “And the end result may be that everything’s hunky dory, but I want to understand it. I just can’t throw my hat in, if selectmen aren’t operating with enough information,” Greaney added.
In other town news, Rumford is seeking four volunteers to serve on a selectmen-initiated Wind Power Committee “to research, study and make recommendations to prepare and guide our town in wind power development.”
People interested should get a Candidate Information Sheet at Puiia’s office or download the form from the town Web site at www.rumfordmaine.net and return it to Puiia’s office by 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19.
Selectmen have also rescheduled their Nov. 19 meeting to Monday, Nov. 23, at 7 p.m. in the town hall auditorium.
Prior to the meeting, selectmen will hold a Meet the Candidate workshop at 5 p.m. in the Jury Room.
One candidate will then be appointed by selectmen during their regular meeting, to serve six months of Selectman Robert Cameron’s 18-month term. Cameron resigned this month for personal reasons.
By Terry Karkos
Staff Writer
Sun Journal
11 November 2009
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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