Select Board approves wind turbine permit

DARTMOUTH - The Select Board voted unanimously Monday night to issue a special permit for a pair of municipal wind turbines on town land off Chase Road despite last-minute objections raised by a handful of residents opposed to the project.

The board attached a long list of conditions to the permit, addressing many of the health and safety concerns raised by residents in neighborhoods surrounding the site near the town's wastewater treatment plant.

Approval of the special permit advances the $9.2 million project to the funding stage. A decision on funding the turbine installation will be made by town meeting members at a special town meeting scheduled for Jan. 26.

Monday night, Select Board member Lara Stone suggested the board has done "due diligence" studying the Alternate Energy Committee's application to erect two commercial turbines on 100 meter towers and researching issues raised by town officials and residents.

"I am satisfied we have had a professional analysis done," Mrs. Stone said after a third session of the public hearing on the project was closed. "I understand there are risks, but I believe we can do this project safely."

Board Chairman Joseph Michaud agreed the decision has involved more study "than any other issue that has come before this board," and that every effort has been made to "balance the pros and cons of this project."

He read a long list of findings pointing out the application meets the requirements outlined in the town's commercial wind turbine bylaw, and that the project would not be detrimental to neighboring properties or pose any significant health or safety issues.

Member Michael Watson similarly noted that the board has spent countless hours over the past few months studying both the benefits and risks involved, and proposed the first of several additions to the list of conditions for the permit drafted by town counsel.

Watson urged that conditions include an automated ice detection system which would automatically shut down the turbines when ice forms, minimizing the risk of ice being thrown from the blades.

Alternate Energy Committee Chairman Dr. Ronald DiPippo noted the committee has sent the Select Board detailed procedures for an ice detection system for the turbines in response to concerns raised at the last session of the public hearing.

Also approved was Select Board member William Trimble's motion to add a requirement for an annual maintenance contract to be in place as long as the turbines are operating.

The 12 conditions attached to the permit include requirements for an enclosed containment vessel at the base of each turbine to prevent hydraulic fluids from reaching surrounding soils; a fire suppression system for each turbine; all lighting shielded to protect abuttors; an external safety descent system for maintenance workers; and adequate liability insurance to protect the town in case of an accident.

The conditions also include a lengthy procedure for residents to follow if they feel they are being affected by shadow/flicker impacts from the turbines. The process requires proof of a harmful medical impact, and the town taking "all necessary actions" to remedy the problem, ranging from installing window shades or screening vegetation to periodic shutdowns of the turbines at times when neighbors are impacted.

After the vote, some neighbors indicated they will continue their efforts to stop the project, from campaigning to get town meeting members to vote against necessary funding, to filing a lawsuit to overturn the decision.

Russells Mills Road resident Edward Britto was among those speaking against the project Monday night. He suggested the proposed sites were too close to neighboring homes, and setbacks should be increased to at least 500 meters.

Chase Road resident David Costa urged the Select Board to have an independent engineering firm review the project, rather than simply relying on the town's consultant, Atlantic Design Engineering. It's not just a case of neighbors protesting something in their back yards, he said, noting, "we don't want it this close to any home in Dartmouth."

"There are many risks involved," agreed Ann Marie DeSourcy, citing studies indicating adverse health impacts for neighbors. She said she would move away if the turbines were built.

Realtor Donald Neves quoted from a Wisconsin study indicating neighboring property values will be hurt.

Resident Jeanne Nesto raised concerns about environmental impacts, including harm to the aquifer from ledge blasting, extensive land clearing, and habitat loss.

She personally talked to residents living 2,800 feet from three 80-meter turbines who suggested adverse impacts such as increased noise have been "a living nightmare for them."

She and other close neighbors, she told the board, are "all very afraid" of potential negative impacts from the project.