Westminster reconsidering wind turbine bylaw  

Credit:  David Rainville, www.telegram.com 12 July 2011 ~~

WESTMINSTER — In light of interest in building wind turbines in Westminster, officials are working to complete a bylaw they thought wasn’t ready for the May annual town meeting.

“We know we’ve gotten one proposal on the way, and I anticipate others,” said Stephen Wallace, town planner. “I want to make the case that we’d be better protected with bylaws in place.” He said a bylaw would provide standards for the siting and screening of turbines, protecting abutters.

Without a bylaw, wind turbines would only be subject to site plan reviews, special permits, and height variances from the Zoning Board, on a case-by-case basis. A bylaw would establish uniform requirements for wind turbines.

The Planning Board will seek input from other boards and committees, and when the bylaw is in its final draft there would be two public forums. One will be held toward the end of the year, the other early next year. The board wants to make sure everyone’s questions are answered before it holds a public hearing in March, and aims to have the bylaw on the warrant for next year’s annual town meeting.