Plan to build state's first wind turbine moves forward
The Daily Item|Thor Jourgensen|February 15, 2006
LYNN - Water and Sewer Commissioners are pushing forward a plan to build a waterfront windmill to reduce electricity costs.
LYNN - Water and Sewer Commissioners are pushing forward a plan to build a waterfront windmill to reduce electricity costs.
Commissioners William Trahant, Wayne Lozzi, Walter Proodian and newly named commissioner Scott McPherson voted to continue studying the $3 million to $4 million project. Commissioner Frank Zipper was not present at Monday's meeting.
They want to make Lynn the first Massachusetts city to erect a wind turbine. Several towns, including Hull and some on Cape Cod, are building the modern versions of windmills and saving money on electricity costs. Ipswich plans to start building a wind turbine in September.
Sewer plant operations director Robert Tina worked with City Councilor at large Loretta Cuffe O'Donnell to develop the windmill plan and organize a feasibility study of the project.
"Two years ago I came up to Water and Sewer with just the …
Commissioners William Trahant, Wayne Lozzi, Walter Proodian and newly named commissioner Scott McPherson voted to continue studying the $3 million to $4 million project. Commissioner Frank Zipper was not present at Monday's meeting.
They want to make Lynn the first Massachusetts city to erect a wind turbine. Several towns, including Hull and some on Cape Cod, are building the modern versions of windmills and saving money on electricity costs. Ipswich plans to start building a wind turbine in September.
Sewer plant operations director Robert Tina worked with City Councilor at large Loretta Cuffe O'Donnell to develop the windmill plan and organize a feasibility study of the project.
"Two years ago I came up to Water and Sewer with just the beginning of this and received nothing but support from Bob and the commission," Cuffe O'Donnell said.
Tina hopes the commission can claim a share of $550 million in federal interest-free energy loans to help pay for the wind turbine. Initial estimates indicate the windmill could save Water and Sewer over $300,000 annually in electrical costs but Tina thinks that estimate is conservative.
In other business this week, the commission agreed to install sewer, water and drain pipes for the new stadium complex to be built on the site of Manning Bowl.
Water and Sewer emergency repair worker Mark Curcio resigned his job last Friday five days after police charged him with selling cocaine out of his home. Curcio, 41, pleaded not guilty last Tuesday to the charge and is due back in court next month.
Curcio was suspended from his job without pay following his arrest along with a second worker who police charged with selling OxyContin. Commission hearing officer Robert Tucker held a disciplinary hearing Monday on the charges brought against Mark O'Keefe, 21. O'Keefe returns to District Court next month after pleading not guilty last Tuesday.
Tucker said the hearing was scheduled to determine if O'Keefe's suspension should be extended or if he should be fired.
"A written decision will be given in a reasonable period of time," he said.