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Fairhaven selectmen say they’ll wait for DEP study before acting on turbine pleas
Credit: By Ariel Wittenberg | www.southcoasttoday.com 19 June 2012 ~~
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Translate: FROM English | TO English
FAIRHAVEN – The Board of Selectmen said Monday they will wait for the results of a noise study before responding to a request for relief from one of the residents who lives closest to the wind turbines.
Karen Isherwood, a resident of Teal Circle, asked that the turbines be turned off nightly between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., or that she be granted a property tax deduction. She said she should be compensated for the cost of continuously running her TV and air-conditioning in order to drown out the noise of the turbines.
“My electric bill has, ironically, increased because I need something to drown them out,” said Isherwood, who lives within 1,400 feet of the turbines located at the wastewater treatment plant near Arsene Street.
“I never thought I would welcome the sound of chain saws, lawn mowers and traffic, but they now give us a break from the monotonous whoosh.”
The selectmen did not directly address either of Isherwood’s proposals, instead stressing the importance of the Department of Environmental Protection coming to the town to do a sound study.
“They will make the determination if the turbines are in or not in compliance,” Selectmen Chairman Brian Bowcock said.
Bowcock said he expected DEP to begin testing within a month, and Isherwood said a representative from the state agency had visited her house as a precursor to testing.
Members of the turbine-opposition group Windwise were present in the audience at the meeting to support Isherwood, who came close to tears while addressing the board.
Isherwood said she held the selectmen responsible for the sleep deprivation and headaches she said she and her two daughters have been suffering because “as far back as 2008 there were people in this town telling you the turbines could be a detriment to our health and they were scoffed and the plan moved forward.
“While you fall asleep at night remember we cannot sleep, we cannot sleep at all,” she said.
Isherwood also asked Bowcock whether her family could receive financial relief even if the turbines were found to be in compliance, to which Bowcock replied “We are getting a little ahead of ourselves.”
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