AMWELLS - Rooftop wind turbines could soon be part of a working draft of a proposed wind-power system ordinance being developed by the Ordinance Review Committee.

The committee during a July 9 meeting identified the benefits of including the small rooftop devices in the ordinance, citing that the turbines in question are generally less expensive than those on towers and also could be more suitable to properties along the beach.

"I was really not in favor of it until I reviewed the (rooftop) turbines further," committee Chairman Bill Gosbee said during the meeting. Other members also stated their interest in the issue.

Gosbee said members should continue to research rooftop turbines, as the devices could prove popular in the future.

"If it can be done safely, people may have reasons for putting one on their roof," Gosbee said during a July 14 phone interview.

Whether rooftop turbines are added to the draft remains to bee seen, but in either case the completed wind-power system ordinance could potentially reach voters by November, Gosbee said. It would first need further review by the committee, as well as the town attorney and Board of Selectman.

During the Wednesday night meeting, there was also discussion about how to define and regulate noise caused by a "wind energy conversion system," or one or more wind turbines working together to create power for residential use.

"Right now we don't have enough information to define (the noise)," Gosbee said. "It is one of my concerns though."

While specific noise limits remain to be defined, the draft ordinance does state that wind turbines "shall meet the requirements of any existing noise ordinance in the Town of Wells."

Another point of debate during the meeting was on whether wind turbine towers could have attachments, such as a satellite dishes or antennae.

Committee member Rob Lavoie said allowing other transmitting devices to be affixed to a wind turbine may not be in line with what the ordinance is trying to accomplish.

"I'd like the item to be as broad as possible," Lavoie said of how protective he'd like to see the ordinance's language regarding attachments.

Board of Selectman liaison to the committee Jim Spiller said he'd rather see one tower host an attachment than see another device erected separately.

Most committee members agreed the item was intended to at least protect residents from a wind turbine doubling as a cell phone tower.

The committee agreed to have a line that states that no television, radio or other commercial communication transmitting or receiving device may be attached to or made part of the wind turbine.

Web link: http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20090716-NE...