May 23, 2013
Massachusetts

Fairhaven wind turbine dispute gets louder

by ABC6 Chief Political Reporter Mark Curtis | May 22, 2013 | www.abc6.com

The wind turbines in Fairhaven were spinning again Wednesday morning, but the big question is: for how much longer?

Tuesday night’s Board of Health meeting erupted in angry shouts.

This after the state Department of Environmental Protection showed the wind turbines often exceed legal noise limits.

Fairhaven resident Louise Barteau said, “I think the people of Fairhaven have suffered long enough and I think they deserve better. (Q: And you want these shut down now?) I want these turbines shut down now. They are too loud and too close, to too many people.”

The state DEP did noise studies after people complained.

ABC6 Reporter Mark Curtis said, “For over a year now, people living closest to the wind turbines have complained that the noise keeps them away at night. And that that sleeps deprivation has led to other health problems.”

While some want the wind turbines removed as a noisy nuisance, others believe a compromise is possible, maybe the turbines only spinning from 7am to 7pm.

Board of Selectmen Chairman Charles Murphy said, “It seems like at night time, it is louder. And closing them down, shutting them down at night time would be a good medium.””

Despite the uproar, people will have to wait until June 10th for a decision.

That’s when the Board of Selectmen and Board of Health will hold a joint meeting to discuss the fate of the controversial wind turbines.

[video available]

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/05/23/fairhaven-wind-turbine-dispute-gets-louder/