December 14, 2010
Letters, Massachusetts

Objects to turbine on Turkey Hill

The Hingham Journal, www.wickedlocal.com 13 December 2010

Dear Trustees of Reservations:

I must respectfully disagree with your decision to place an 80-meter wind turbine on the top of Turkey Hill.

Your organization’s dedication to preserving open space is admirable. It was a great moment for the South Shore when the Turkey Hill property was added to the Trustee’s ranks. Two towns came together to protect this land. This land includes open meadows, one of our most imperiled environments.

The Trustees’ desire to neutralize the carbon footprint of their various buildings and properties, located in other parts of the state, is admirable.

Yet our desire for clean energy should not be at the expense of our open spaces and all the species they are designed to protect. We need to support renewable energy, but not on the backs of the few remaining open spaces.

Even at its most optimistic projections, this wind turbine will result in bird kills. Part of the rationale for protecting this place was providing a safe sanctuary for meadow birds. Turkey Hill is one of the few places in our area where we can observe the woodcock in the spring, or the beauty of the bobolink in a summer meadow. Enjoying a moment in nature under this monolith seems unlikely, and I worry for the future of the birds that make this place their home.

The Boston Globe on Dec. 5, 2010, wrote an article titled “Turbine Plan draws few foes.” Perhaps the reason for this is that you have primarily dealt with only one town. The wind turbine will be located on Trustee’s property in Cohasset, yet this 80-meter wind turbine closely abuts the Trustee’s Hingham property. As we share this precious resource with Cohasset, we should have a part in the decision making process. As it is, Cohasset has made the decision, and will solely benefit from the energy produced. Cohasset had considered using land near their Recycling Transfer Facility for a wind turbine site. This developed site, just a mile away, is an infinitely better location.

The Town of Cohasset and Trustees of Reservations should join hands in creating renewable energy that will not impact the delicate environment we protect and treasure.

Linda J. Willse

682 Main St.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2010/12/14/objects-to-turbine-on-turkey-hill/