Kingston neighbors of wind turbines complain of ill effects  

Credit:  By Kathryn Gallerani | Wicked Local Kingston | www.wickedlocal.com 28 June 2012 ~~

Neighbors of Kingston’s new wind turbines made plenty of noise at a zoning board of appeals hearing, sharing stories with panel members about sleepless nights and anxiety caused by the turbines.

Wind turbines in Kingston earlier this year.
GREG DERR/The Patriot Ledger

Leland Road resident Dan Alves, speaking at a hearing last week, said he knew there had been talk of wind turbines before they were built, but he was not informed about what it would really mean to have them near his home.

“Never would I have experienced what I have experienced – headaches, dizziness, vertigo,” Alves said. “It sounds like a 747 that never lands.”

Christopher Senie, a lawyer for some of the neighbors, presented reasons why the board should reverse zoning enforcement officer Paul Armstrong’s decision to deny Senie’s recent request for an order that would stop the turbines from spinning.

Senie argued there should be a new site plan hearing and conditions should be set that make sense for the operation of the wind turbines. He said he is not foolish enough to think the turbines would be shut down permanently.

Country Club Way resident Chris Dewitt said his heart aches at the impact these turbines have had on his family and his neighbors. He said he has been woken up early in the morning, around 3:30 a.m. one day and 4 a.m. the next, because of the turbines’ noise.

“This is not sustainable,” he said. “Think about this decision in respect to the people.”

Zoning board Chairman John Haas said it’s difficult to know how anyone can argue they did not know the wind turbines were coming with all the numerous public meetings that were held prior to construction of the four wind turbines this year.

The public hearing was continued to July 18, to give board members time to review the testimony.

The controversial towers include the Independence turbine on the town’s capped landfill and three wind turbines on business owner Mary O’Donnell’s Marion Drive property.