Bell Acres residents question windmill plan
Beaver County Times|Bill Utterback |October 12, 2009
Opposing perspectives rose from residents who gathered Monday to probe the proposed alternative energy development site along Big Sewickley Creek Road in Bell Acres. Many borough residents questioned the potential noise level and electromagnetic presence of the site, which would include a 66-foot wind turbine. Others questioned the potential threat to great blue herons that nest along Big Sewickley Creek. Some questioned the visual impact on the borough's landscape.
Opposing perspectives rose from residents who gathered Monday to probe the proposed alternative energy development site along Big Sewickley Creek Road in Bell Acres. Many borough residents questioned the potential noise level and electromagnetic presence of the site, which would include a 66-foot wind turbine. Others questioned the potential threat to great blue herons that nest along Big Sewickley Creek. Some questioned the visual impact on the borough's landscape.
BELL ACRES - Opposing perspectives rose from residents who gathered Monday to probe the proposed alternative energy development site along Big Sewickley Creek Road in Bell Acres.
Many borough residents questioned the potential noise level and electromagnetic presence of the site, which would include a 66-foot wind turbine. Others questioned the potential threat to great blue herons that nest along Big Sewickley Creek. Some questioned the visual impact on the borough's landscape.
"I'm just saying I think it would be an eyesore so close to a residential area," Julie DiCenzo said.
Richard Kulbacki, who said he has lived in Bell Acres for 53 of his 61 years, endorsed the project and said he hoped that advancing technology might …
... more [truncated due to possible copyright]BELL ACRES - Opposing perspectives rose from residents who gathered Monday to probe the proposed alternative energy development site along Big Sewickley Creek Road in Bell Acres.
Many borough residents questioned the potential noise level and electromagnetic presence of the site, which would include a 66-foot wind turbine. Others questioned the potential threat to great blue herons that nest along Big Sewickley Creek. Some questioned the visual impact on the borough's landscape.
"I'm just saying I think it would be an eyesore so close to a residential area," Julie DiCenzo said.
Richard Kulbacki, who said he has lived in Bell Acres for 53 of his 61 years, endorsed the project and said he hoped that advancing technology might eventually reduce his energy bills. His response drew applause.
"I'm 100 percent for this," Kulbacki said. "I don't think this is as bad as some of the other things that could go into that area. I don't want another asphalt plant, or concrete plant, or junkyard."
The site, located near the intersection of Big Sewickley Creek Road and Turkeyfoot Road, would be developed by Vox Energy Systems, Metal Foundations and Jet Industries.
More than 50 residents gathered to question project manager Joseph Restelli, and the public hearing persisted for more than 90 minutes.
Restelli answered questions about noise level with results of his visit to the wind turbine that sits behind the Economy Borough Building. He said he talked to residents in Economy who had no complaints about noise, and he compared the noise generated by the turbine to "wind blowing through trees."
Residents urged council to insist upon a more thorough noise investigation that would include low-level frequency measurements.
Council has 45 days to move on the issue and, according to President Larry Pryor, may vote on the proposal at November's meeting.