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.