April 14, 2011
Massachusetts

Bourne hearing into turbine bylaw amendment continues tonight

Bourne Courier, www.wickedlocal.com 14 April 2011Bourne Courier, www.wickedlocal.com 14 April 2011

BUZZARDS BAY —

Bourne Planning Board Chairman Chris Farrell said his members likely would vote to support a citizen-petition article seeking to amend the zoning bylaw governing turbine sitings or reject the warrant article headed to the May 2 Annual Town Meeting warrant.

The board hearing into the controversial request continues tonight at 7 in the Community Center at Main Street. The finance committee awaits the planning board vote of support or rejection. Farrell will report to the finance board April 25.

The citizen petition evolved after New Generation Wind filed a controversial proposal with the town and Cape Cod Commission to build seven industrial-grade turbines off Scenic Highway and Route 25.

“This is a hot-button issue,” Farrell said. “The private petition people don’t like the way our energy conversion bylaw was crafted. It is one of the first in the state. Because of the (turbine) proposal in town, they’ve drafted some new (bylaw) language, and the planning board has to deliberate that.”

Farrell said Cape commission turbine regulations being promulgated by the county “could put our bylaw out to pasture and supersede any amendments to it. All of our bylaws are subject to change. We have to address them from time to time. Our bylaws certainly aren’t etched in stone.”

Town Planner Coreen Moore said the energy conversion bylaw is in its third revision. Technology, she said, has played its part. The Bourne bylaw was crafted with community and commercial turbines in mind. The New Generation variety is industrial grade, she said.

“It’s an energy technology,” Farrell agreed. “I’m sure that in the future, people will the attaching them to the sides of their houses, if they become efficient and cost effective.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/04/14/bourne-hearing-into-turbine-bylaw-amendment-continues-tonight/