April 27, 2012
Letters, Massachusetts

Vote against wind

The Recorder, 27 April 2012

My wife and I own a sheep farm in the Patten District of Shelburne. We purchased the Mitchell dairy farm in 2000 and have worked hard to maintain the land and build a successful sheep and fiber business. The reason we moved here, built a home and maintained and renovated Springdelle Farm is because of the rural beauty of the Patten district and the quality of life in Shelburne.

When we first learned of the proposed industrial wind project on Mt. Massaemet last fall, we were curious but not alarmed. We were simply unaware of all the problems that these massive turbines have created in other communities – many in New England. After much research, we found that these large turbines are not harmless, particularly near people, animals and homes. Simply doing a Google search of “Falmouth, Ma. wind turbines” begins to reveal a pattern of serious issues everywhere. These turbines negatively impact health, property values, wildlife, ecosystems and the very nature of rural communities like Shelburne. Numerous towns in Mass. are now saying “No” to industrial wind, including Bourne, Lenox, Quincy, Dennis, Northborough, Swampscott, Plymouth, Nantucket, Brimfield, Blandford and Wareham.

The voters of Shelburne have the opportunity at town meeting on May 1 to protect the health and well-being of our town by voting “Yes” on articles 17, 18, 19 and 20. A “Yes” vote on all these articles is the only sure way to stop the proposed industrial wind project on Mt. Massaemet and give our Planning Board the time they need to craft safe guidelines on wind power.

MIKE PARRY Shelburne resident


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/04/27/vote-against-wind/