Mount Massaemet not the right place
The Recorder, www.recorder.com, 20 April 2012
A year ago, we would’ve said we were for wind power. Since the proposal last fall to erect industrial wind turbines on Mount Massaemet, we feel we’ve been taking a crash course on how large-scale wind power affects a community like ours.
We’ve had to learn – and fast – because our home is among nearly 200 Shelburne residences within one mile of the proposed wind turbines on Mount Massaemet. Another 360 homes, as well as the elementary school, are within 1½ miles. Some 210 more are within two miles – including all of the village of Shelburne Falls – and there very possibly are health hazards for us all.
We learned that some people exposed to wind turbine noise have experienced chronic annoyance, sleep disturbance and serious inner ear disorders. Some came to testify at Memorial Hall. We learned, too, of the ill effects wind turbines have had on animals, both domesticated and wild. Not to mention what would have to be done to the land in order to get these turbines in place.
We are now convinced Mount Massaemet is not the right place for industrial wind turbines. We believe the town needs to stop any new application, declare a moratorium, and study hard what devastation this “green” technology could bring to the people, the land, the animals and the wildlife around it, including High Ledges.
We urge Shelburne residents to attend the town meeting May 1 and vote “YES” on articles 17, 18, 19 and 20.
First, do no harm.
ED and CLAIRE BLATCHFORD
Shelburne
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/04/20/mount-massaemet-not-the-right-place/