Millbury selectmen table wind turbine for Butler Farms

Credit: by Steve Balestrieri | December 12, 2012 | Millbury Daily Voice | millbury.dailyvoice.com ~~

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MILLBURY, Mass. – A proposal for a wind turbine at Butler Farm was tabled because the site is just not windy enough for it to be economically viable, the Millbury Board of Selectmen decided Tuesday night.

A feasibility study was presented to the selectmen by Johanna Hall, an engineer from Weston and Sampson. The study from August 2011 to August 2012 was based on many factors, with the engineering firm collecting data on wind speed, environmental review and a sound assessment as well as the cost involved.

The potential costs ranged from $800,000 to $4.1 million, Hall said. Though technically feasible, the turbine was economically not viable. But during the year of testing, the average wind speed at Butler Farms – even at 40 meters in height – was significantly lower than anticipated, she said.

Selectmen Brian Stowell made a motion to table the turbine proposal, and the motion passed. Chairman E. Bernard Plante thanked the committee members for their work. “I’m glad we did the feasibility study prior to moving forward with anything,” he said.

In other business, the board approved a joint pole petition by Verizon Wireless to place three new poles on South Oxford Road that would connect Millbury with Oxford. However, the board passed the petition with the stipulation that Verizon meet with a landowner to move three poles (63, 65 and 66) of the project.

The landowner has three access roads that allow logging trucks on his property. The location of the three poles and guy wires may interfere with the trucks’ access. Verizon has agreed to meet with the owner and move the poles, if necessary.

Before the meeting started, the selectmen honored the Millbury girls volleyball team that won the district finals and went to the state championship game before falling to Lynnfield. Millbury is proud of the team, and residents take their sports seriously, Plante said.

Source: by Steve Balestrieri | December 12, 2012 | Millbury Daily Voice | millbury.dailyvoice.com

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