Two's Company, Three's A Crowd

After taking a much needed hiatus from town politics, the Thorndike Planning board returned to the issue of a Wind Energy Conversion devices on July 22nd. Citizen's Energy, one of the firms formerly interested in the Mt. Harris Wind project stretching from Dixmont through Jackson and into Thorndike, has released Thorndike landowners from lease agreements. It is believed that Citizen's has also withdrawn from the other communities. Competitive Energy, the firm that erected turbines in Freedom, is still interested in the project as is Ra Power. Check links for additional information.

The board considered a proposal from Bud Tibbets to have two ordinances - one pertaining to residential wind turbines and another for industrial projects. In the plan there would be different set-backs based on the scale of the turbine. After much discussion the board agreed that determining a set-back distance should be secondary to developing regulations that provide of a turbines actual performance. These standards should provide reasonable protection to the citizens of Thorndike from sound, flicker, and potential hazards as well as mechanisms for mitigation, code enforcement and complaint resolution. In essence, a 50 dB nuisance at 3:00 a.m. is still troublesome regardless of where it is or how big it is. By focusing on performance standards, one ordinance can address any variety of WEC device.

Distance does matter when considering Blade/Ice Fling. The board decided to look into projected fling distances as a minimum set-back. The board will also look into confidence levels for braking systems.

As a final decision, the board determined that it would be best to handle violoations and code enforcement through the planning board and application process. More details will be provided as specifics are determined.

The meeting convened and will meet again on August 18th at 6:30. The public is welcome to attend.

Transition

Attendees:
Melissa May-Downer
Bud Tibbets
Libby Heally
Jesse Hargrove
Ryan Herz

With the busy spring upon us it has become increasingly difficult to find common times to meet while managing other individual responsibilities. The committee decided to trust the Planning Board in its process to develop the town's ordinance. The Thondike Wind blog will continue to be updated with developments. Planning Board meetings are open to the public. Citizens are encouraged to come.

The More Things Change....The More They Stay The Same

Attendees:

Jesse Hargrove
Laura Stewart
Libby Heally

Sound recommendation -

Citizen’s committee recommend that the planning board maintain current noise level limits, 45 dB(A) from 6 am (8 am on Sundays) to 8:30 pm; 40 dB(A) from 8:30 pm (8 pm on Sunday) to 6:00 am, set forth in the Town Ordinances. This is based on recommendations from Kamperman Acoustical Consultant and the World Health Organization. There was a strong recommendation that the town review the State DEP Noise Levels. If the town’s preference is line with the state, then there would be no need to set forth a town ordinance making enforcement a town responsibility.

Infra-sound was not addressed. There has been some research that suggests negative health affects however the committee did not come by conclusive.


The Committee decided to research grievance policies for the next meeting on May 28th.

Noise....

The Thorndike Wind Committee met on Thursday, April 30th. In attendance was:
Libby Healy
Laura Stewart
Melissa May-Downer
Ryan Herz
Bud Tibbets
Jesse Hargrove

The committee met with the task of discussing research related to noise with the hopes of establishing a recommended noise level to the planning board. The research has not shown there to be specific negative health affects from noise at the levels reported from Wind Turbines. The noise is however an annoyance that may indirectly adversely impact citizens. Overall, our current noise ordinance is within acceptable range, ± 5 of other researched limits. Ryan brought up the term "infra-sound". It was mentioned throughout different sources of research, including the Kamperman report which includes serveral technical definitions including, "Ambient Sound", "Background Sound", "A-Weighted Sound Level" and C-Weighted Sound Level". The report also includes recommended siting plan with suggestions for ordinances. Of particular interest in the ordinance was specific language for dispute resolution and expense responsibility for code enforcement. It was agreed that the meeting would adjourn to meet in two weeks. Copies of reports were filed in the box file. Community members are encouraged to read reports kept at the town office. Members will research "infra-sound" and health ramifications. The committee will reconvene on May 14th with the following agenda:

1. Review infra-sound research
2. Determine next step regarding infra-sound
3. Draft recommended criteria for noise ordinance
4. New Assignments - infra-sound and/or "flicker"
5. Review Determinations/Minutes

And So It Begins...

Thorndike citizens passed a moratorium on wind turbine construction at the annual town meeting held in March. The moratorium allows time for research to guide the modernizing of ordinances that regulate such development. A citizen committee has been developed to conduct research and advise the Planning Board. The most recent committee meeting was this past Thursday, April 23rd. In addition to this blog, the committee is maintaining a file box with collected research, sample ordinances and summaries available for public perusal. We do ask that materials be kept at the town office in their designated files for the committee and others to reference.

April 23rd Meeting agenda:
1. Review Noise Research
2. Discuss/Decide "acceptable" noise levels
3. Draft recommended Noise ordinance
4. Plan Future Committee meetings
5. Decide upon Committee Chairperson
6. New Assignments

Meeting Discussion:
Libby provided the committee with a multitude of research on wind turbine noise. She briefly summarized and then submitted packets to be filed. Sally also provided the committee with sample ordinances to be filed. The committee discussed noise levels but determined there was still too much information to go through before a decision can be made. It was discussed that the noise level of the turbines are not constant. The committee distributed research files to be summarized.

The committee decided upon a meeting schedule: April 30th, May 14th, May 28th. Mary Ann asked if the committee is interested in having Mick Wormersly, an Associate Professor at Unity College, attend a meeting. The committee agreed to extend Mick an invitation.

The committee decided Jesse Hargrove as Chair.

Thorndike Wind Energy Moritorium

More than 150 residents filled the Central Maine Auction Hall during the Annual Thorndike Town Meeting to approve a six-month moratorium on wind turbine development. See side bar for link to the language.