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.