Colonel Holman citizens were let down
Rumford Falls Times | www.rumfordfallstimes.com 8 June 2012
I attended a public hearing in Dixfield about a wind ordinance proposed by the selectmen. The tone of the meeting was set when the selectmen declared they wanted the grid scale wind project on Colonel Holman Mountain for monetary reasons.
I do not think they were ready for the 62 property owners, within two miles of this project, and their very vocal, organized reactions.
Hart Daley, a candidate for selectman, repeatedly asked if the selectmen would reword parts of the ordinance to protect the Common Road citizens. Scott Belskis, another candidate, was very concise with his concerns and repeatedly came up with no answers from the select board.
The CEO, Calvin Baumier, employed by wind, led most of the discussion. He made me so mad. I addressed three real arguments against his reasonings for a grid scale wind project.
First, he said Carthage and Canton will have wind. Second, he argued 4,000 feet from occupied home is an adequate set back. Thirdly, he then had Patriot Renewables’ man try to convince these 62 property owners that noise of 45 dBA will not bother them.
“Mr. CEO, I can petition for a moratorium, tomorrow, for Carthage and Canton. Mr. CEO, I have a public statement from another CEO who personally examines controlled erosion that is not controlled. (i.e. silt fences folded, filled and torn.) Mr. CEO, I have scales of rural sound as below 35 dBA down to 18 dBA. Yes, we will hear them and it will bother us.”
I brought six sound modeling maps showing 35-45 dBA at one-mile limit of 1 MW- 3 MW grid scale turbines. One mile setback is not enough.
This meeting ended nowhere. Once again, Colonel Holman citizens were let down.
Wind warriors are bringing a moratorium petition to Dixfield’s June 12 polls, Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the American Legion Hall, Route 2.
Please vote for Hart Daley and Scott Belskis.
Alice Mckay Barnett
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/06/08/colonel-holman-citizens-were-let-down/