May 24, 2008
Maine

Wind turbine opponents to meet in Freedom

FREEDOM – Residents opposed to the construction of three electricity-generating wind turbines on Beaver Ridge will meet this afternoon, not far from the turbines’ proposed location.

The meeting is scheduled for 2 p.m., at the home of Charles and Sally Ann Hadyniak at 218 Beaver Ridge Road.

Those opposed to the project hope that residents will vote on June 10 to reinstate the town’s commercial-development review ordinance. According to Town Attorney William Kelly, reinstatement of the ordinance could put Portland-based Competitive Energy Service’s project in jeopardy.

Steve Bennett, an opponent of the wind turbines, said many who live in the country do so for the peace and quiet.

“We’re a group of people who live in Freedom who are concerned about the wind turbines going on the hill,” Bennett said.

“We don’t want to live in the vicinity of these turbines.”

Noise is not the only concern, Bennett said.

Wind turbines throw ice, and sometimes disintegrate and cause accidents, he said.

“And I don’t want to live with blinking strobelights over my head,” he said.

Last June, residents voted to rescind the ordinance during a special town meeting. Competitive Energy then applied for a permit and construction was approved.

But last month, the Board of Selectmen agreed to approve a petition seeking the vote to reinstate the ordinance, retroactive to June 2007.

By Larry Grard
Staff Writer

Morning Sentinel

24 May 2008


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/05/24/turbine-opponents-meet-in-freedom/