March 5, 2011
Massachusetts

Hingham: Controversial wind turbine by-law proposal withdrawn

John Penny, 95.9 WATD, http://www.959watd.com

Hingham advisory committee met Thursday night, voting that no action be taken on a town meeting article proposing the town’s first wind turbine by-law.

The petition article was submitted by the attorney of Hingham resident Mike Ferrara, who planned to install a wind turbine on his property on Dennis Road.

However, the article was withdrawn after the planning board said they wouldn’t support it. Advisory committee member Mary Power says neighbors attending the planning board meeting had concerns about how well the by-law was written.

“There were 25 citizens that attended the planning board hearing. Everyone of them had concerns about the by-law. Many thought the by-law, as presented, did not have the due diligence that was necessary,” said Power.

Power says that the neighbors and even the experts have concerns regarding the proposed wind turbine by-law.

“The specific concerns people had were around shadow flicker, birds, set backs, fencing and the commissioning agent. Right now wind turbines are commissioned by a non-U.S. agent. Even the turbine manufacturer’s representative, who was an expert at the hearing, mentioned that it’s an aspect of the by-law that concerns him,” said Power.

The advisory committee unanimously voted to not recommend article.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/03/05/hingham-controversial-wind-turbine-by-law-proposal-withdrawn/