The call for the Special Town Meeting was prompted by what many in town view as an opportunity to improve the existing wind turbine bylaw based on the lessons learned from the review of the Cohasset Heights Wind Turbine project. Everyone can agree that we know a lot more about wind power today than when the bylaw was originally crafted.

Cohasset - The call for the Special Town Meeting was prompted by what many in town view as an opportunity to improve the existing wind turbine bylaw based on the lessons learned from the review of the Cohasset Heights Wind Turbine project. Everyone can agree that we know a lot more about wind power today than when the bylaw was originally crafted. This is an opportunity to make the bylaw better so that we can assess objectively the impact of wind projects while protecting the interest of the town and its citizens, consistent with the original intent of introducing Green initiatives to town.

Proponents of change have deliberately NOT tried to cram through a hastily compiled set of changes. Instead, this moratorium provides some breathing room to improve the bylaw without the threat of developers trying to force projects on the town that are inconsistent with the town's objectives.

In conversations with the Selectmen, Advisory Committee, Planning Board, and AEC it became evident that there was concern that the warrant language as proposed might result in a permanent end to the bylaw rather than a temporary moratorium. As this was never the intent of the moratorium, and to address the concerns, a floor amendment will be proposed that will reinstitute the current bylaw after next year's town meeting if a revised bylaw isn't passed. This will ensure that this amendment is truly a temporary moratorium.

Proponents suggest that this provides a rational approach to amending the bylaw that respects the importance of a deliberative process, yet protects citizens' interests. The intention is to use the moratorium period to collaboratively improve the bylaw to be consistent with our enhanced understanding of the issues today and consistent with industry standards.

This feels like a reasonable compromise that we hope the various town leaders and citizens will embrace. These are long-term issues that will affect Cohasset for generations. We should do everything possible to get it right, and now is the time to pause so we can do just that.

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