October 12, 2011
New York

Feedback: Despite survey, Lyme wind power controversy not over

www.wwnytv.com 11 October 2011

Lyme Supervisor Scott Aubertine is dismissing the results of the latest wind power survey in his town saying it’s too heavily weighted with seasonal residents’ opinions.

The town has just received the results of a third survey and just like the other two, most residents voiced their opinions against wind turbines in Lyme.

The argument now is, who gets a say in town issues: everyone who pays taxes or just year-round residents?

“I don’t believe they should have a say in the establishment of the laws and town policies that rest of use who live hear year-round should have to live under,” Aubertine said

Aubertine is going to meet with the firm in charge of the survey again to see if the data proves permanent residents, not part-timers, do not want turbines.

Pitting seasonal against permanent residents has angered some.

“I was a little bit offended by it,” said Dan Villa, a member of the town council.

“I live out on Point Peninsula. I’m a year-rounder. I pay taxes and I feel anyone who pays taxes in the town of Lyme should have an equal vote, whether they’re there three months or six months or 12 months,” Villa said.

Many in the town have raised concerns about the look and the sound of the structures. Others have concerns about the environmental impacts.

“Each individual turbine, what they claim to do is reduce CO2 emissions. I think they create more CO2 emissions,” said Anne Harris, also a member of the town council.

Some on the council see this as a dead issue, with the next step to pass a law banning turbines.

Aubertine, however, isn’t done collecting information, so this may be only the latest battle in a long war.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/10/12/feedback-despite-survey-lyme-wind-power-controversy-not-over/