July 14, 2016
Rhode Island

Son of turbine subcontractor charged with stealing lawn sign opposing windmill

The Valley Breeze | 7/13/2016 | www.valleybreeze.com

NORTH SMITHFIELD – The son of the owner of a company that has done work for Wind Energy Development – the group trying to erect a 465-foot wind turbine on Old Smithfield Road – was facing charges this week for allegedly stealing an anti-turbine lawn sign.

Brian Ready, 18, of 92 Log Road was charged with larceny by North Smithfield police after allegedly taking a “No Turbine,” sign from a yard.

Ready is the son of Christopher Ready, chief financial officer for DiPrete Engineering. DiPrete designed the plan for the proposed turbine, a controversial project currently held up in a legal battle with both neighbors and the town.

Ready was arrested along with a minor, whose name was not released by NSPD.

The pair is charged with stealing a sign from the home of Keith Heroux, an abutter opposed to the project and member of the citizen group formed in hopes to block the structure: C.O.U.R.T. or Conserve Our Unique Rural Town.

C.O.U.R.T. is currently awaiting a decision in Superior Court on a motion to intervene in case against the town by wind developer WED. The company has challenged the Town Council’s decision to place a moratorium on such structures.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2016/07/14/son-of-turbine-subcontractor-charged-with-stealing-lawn-sign-opposing-windmill/