June 6, 2013
Ontario

Mapleton council declares township unwilling host for wind turbine developments

by Patrick Raftis | The Wellington Advertiser | www.wellingtonadvertiser.com

MAPLETON

Council here has officially declared the township’s opposition to wind turbine projects within the municipality.

The motion to declare Mapleton an “unwilling host’ for wind turbine projects was introduced by councillor Jim Curry at the May 28 council meeting.

Curry told council his motion was a response to reports of a number of Mapleton residents who have experienced negative health effects since the 22.9 megawatt Conestogo Wind Energy Centre went into service in December.

The motion states, “That the Township of Mapleton declares itself to be an unwilling host for further wind energy developments. The reason is the significant number (11 residents to date) suffering negative health effects since the Conestogo Wind Farm was commissioned.”

The motion was approved unopposed.

Municipal councils around the province have been passing similar motions since the first Throne speech by Premier Kathleen Wynne’s Liberal government declared municipalities should have a say in the development of energy projects within their borders.

“Because our economy can benefit from these things but only if we have willing hosts,” the speech stated.

Topsoil motion withdrawn

Curry had announced his intention to present the turbine motion at the May 14 meeting.

At the same meeting, he gave notice of his intention to present council with another motion that would have required the developer of the Drayton Heights subdivision to present a detailed plan for removal of a large pile of topsoil bordering some of the homes in the subdivision before further building permits would be granted.

Curry withdrew the motion at the May 28 meeting, stating he had received further information indicating “that’s not really something a council can do.”

June 7, 2013

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/06/06/mapleton-council-declares-township-unwilling-host-for-wind-turbine-developments/