Article
A group of angry Melancthon property owners told councillors last week that they should address problems with phase one of the Melancthon wind project before moving on to phase two.
A group of angry Melancthon property owners told councillors last week that they should address problems with phase one of the Melancthon wind project before moving on to phase two.
Homeowners there charge that although they support wind generation they are not happy with the way this wind farm has taken shape.
"We've been the guinea pigs in the southwest corner of Melancthon and now we can see what these things look like. I am disappointed with the setbacks, I am disappointed with the zoning.... We've got a noise situation and we've got a lights situation,"said resident Paul Chantree, one of many people to bring their concerns to town council, April 20. "Until phase one is proven, it would be prudent to not proceed with phase two."
About 50 people packed into council chambers Thursday for what was supposed to be a meeting to discuss the second phase of the project.
Many of those present, however, used the …
... more
[truncated due to possible copyright]
Homeowners there charge that although they support wind generation they are not happy with the way this wind farm has taken shape.
"We've been the guinea pigs in the southwest corner of Melancthon and now we can see what these things look like. I am disappointed with the setbacks, I am disappointed with the zoning.... We've got a noise situation and we've got a lights situation,"said resident Paul Chantree, one of many people to bring their concerns to town council, April 20. "Until phase one is proven, it would be prudent to not proceed with phase two."
About 50 people packed into council chambers Thursday for what was supposed to be a meeting to discuss the second phase of the project.
Many of those present, however, used the opportunity to vent their frustrations about the 45 turbines in phase one.
The complaints ranged from red flashing lights fixed on the towers, to concerns about decreased property values, to Melancthon Mayor Garry Matthews' involvement in the project. One resident even called on local politicians to hold a referendum on the issue.
"If the majority of people in this community want the wind turbines then you are in the clear," the man charged from the audience.
The Melancthon project is one of several government initiatives aimed at securing five per cent (1,350 MW) of all energy from clean, renewable sources by 2007 and 10 per cent by 2010.
Phase two of the Melancthon wind farm will see 88 more turbines (21 in Amaranth Township) that will produce 132 MW of electricity or enough to power 40,000 homes annually.
However, although they feel wind power is a step in the right direction, many present at the meeting said the township should hold off on the project for the time being. They want Canadian Hydro Developers (CHD), the company building the wind farms, to address their concerns first.
"The flashing lights are the most offensive thing about the turbines," said resident Bruce Whitten. "All you can see at night are the flashing red lights."
CHD official Geoff Carnegie told those in attendance that the company will do whatever it can to accommodate locals but added that their hands are tied on some issues.
In the case of the flashing red lights for instance, Carnegie said those are mandated by Transport Canada and there is very little that can be done.
Also, in response to concerns raised about the distance between the 80-metre tall structures and individual homes, Carnegie said planners have pushed them as far back as they could.
But those opposed to the projects weren't the only ones to speak out. Several farmers present Thursday argued in support of the turbines and stated that the wind farms are the best thing to happen to this tiny rural community. They want phase two to go ahead.
"Where is all the common sense?" asked area farmer Gordon Day. "Those turbines are good for this farming community."