Find more suitable site for Dartmouth turbines

The Dartmouth Select Board just approved the permit to build two giant wind turbines off Chase Road in North Dartmouth. I believe this to be a mistake.

Now there is no question that the time has come to seek alternative energy sources, and wind turbines are on the cusp of a new era in generating electricity. But the Select Board has made a very inappropriate decision to locate the two giant (328-foot) wind turbines in a beautiful rural area of Dartmouth. The scale of the turbines is not feasible for the site, being positioned just 600 feet from Chase Road.

The neighbors are understandably upset with this decision, and to go ahead despite the strong opposition of the local residents shows a lack of concern for town residents of that area.

The effects of property devaluations and harm to the environment have yet to be determined by the board's decision.

This I believe is very wrong and reckless on their part to push this proposal through against residents' wishes. What's the big rush? Let's get this right, for once the damage is done there is no turning back.

Their have to be other areas in town that wouldn't impact neighborhoods the way this one will. I think that should be a strong priority before choosing a site.

Next is the price tag of $9.2 million. Where is that money coming from, and how many years is it going to take to get a return on the investment? And how is this going to impact our property tax rate? These are very important questions that need to be addressed clearly before this project is approved.

The town of Dartmouth is just starting to get back on its feet financially, so the impact of the $9.2 million cost of the project needs to considered very carefully.

I would like to urge the Town Meeting members to vote this project down in its present form and send it back to the drawing board to find a more suitable site.