July 23, 2013
New York

Wind turbines attract Richfield residents to meeting

By AMANDA FRIES | Observer-Dispatch | Posted Jul 22, 2013 | www.uticaod.com

RICHFIELD SPRINGS – The requests were clear: follow town laws.

More than 100 concerned citizens gathered Monday night to address Ridgeline Energy’s second attempt to pursue a permit for construction of wind turbines.

Most recently, the state Appellate Court ruled that the Richfield Town Planning Board did not address the requirements of the town’s Land Use and Building Management Ordinance when it approved a building permit for six 492-foot turbines as part of the Monticello Hills wind project.

Among those requirements: assuring that the construction will not endanger public health and safety; and flashing lights, noise and vibrations do not impact nearby property.

Ridgeline Energy, based in Seattle and is part of France-based Veolia Environnement, proposed the Monticello Hills wind project in 2011. The turbines would be constructed along state Route 20 in Richfield.

Richfield resident Larry Frigault, who lives on Route 20, said his house and property will be less than a mile from the project.

“I really want them to follow our local law,” he said. “It’s hard to imagine that this project meets those standards.”

Meanwhile, other residents pointed to the environmental benefits that the project would bring.

West Winfield resident Steven Gates said he wouldn’t mind living next to a wind turbine.

“Wind, although it might not be the answer, is part of the solution,” he said.

Richfield resident Linda Lawrence said she also favors the turbines.

“We need to use Mother Nature’s resources to live in this world,” she said.

Ryan Fagan, who lives along Canadarago Lake in Richfield Springs, said he was promised that he wouldn’t be able to see the turbines, yet a picture he acquired from the proposed project site is to the contrary.

“If you’re wrong about this,” he said to the board, “it very well could destroy our lake.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/07/23/wind-turbines-attract-richfield-residents-to-meeting/