May 11, 2012
Massachusetts

Shelburne panel to proceed with windfarm meeting May 24

By DIANE BRONCACCIO, Recorder Staff, The Recorder, 11 May 2012

SHELBURNE – Despite the Planning Board’s rejection of a subdivision application for a commercial wind turbine project, the Zoning Board of Appeals will go forward with a scheduled public hearing for the Mount Massaemet Windfarm on May 24, at 8 p.m. at the Buckland Shelburne Elementary School.

ZBA Chairman Joseph Palmeri said Thursday he had spoken with wind farm applicant Frederick Field, “and, as of this time, he’s made no decision to withdraw the application.”

“The hearing will only be canceled IF Mr. Field withdraws his application in writing, through the town clerk’s office,” Palmeri said.

A subdivision plan, to create separate building lots for the four proposed wind turbines, was submitted last Monday to the Planning Board – one day before a commercial wind turbine ban was voted on at annual town meeting. The timing of the application meant the wind project would not be subject to the ban.

After deliberations with the town’s lawyer on Wednesday night, the Planning Board unanimously voted to reject the subdivision plan as “incomplete,” because the permit fees submitted with the subdivision plans were inadequate and were required to be submitted by certified check. Field said he submitted the fees listed in a copy of the town bylaws that he said his engineer had gotten from Town Hall; but the copy he showed planning officials was marked with the word “draft,” and hasn’t been enacted.

The Planning Board told him he could resubmit the application, with required permit fees, but that it would not be exempt from the ban in that case. Field said he may appeal the decision.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/05/11/shelburne-panel-to-proceed-with-windfarm-meeting-may-24/