Turbine Moratorium Defeated, Performing Arts Center Purchase Approved

Town Meeting got it done in one session Saturday with little controversy.

Plymouth Town Meeting got the job done in one session, blazing through more than 20 articles stopping only twice to debate. The petitioned article that would have put into effect a two-year moratorium on large scale wind turbines was defeated, failing to get the required 2/3 vote. Neither the Board of Selectmen or Finance Committee supported it, but the article did have Planning Board backing. "We felt that there was compelling information to allow for a moratorium, as requested by the petitioner, on residential industrial wind turbines," Planning Board chairman Marc Garrett told WATD. Town Meeting also approved spending $650,000 in Community Preservation Act funds to purchase the Congregation Beth Jacob Community Center on the corner of …

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Community Preservation Articles Expected to Keep Town Meeting Busy Saturday

Articles involving open space, a moratorium on wind turbines and the purchase of the Congregation Beth Jacob Community Center are among the articles being debated today.

There are 35 numbered articles on the warrant but 12 were withdrawn. Of the remaining 23 articles, the petitioners have said they will ask that no action be taken. That leaves just two or three that may result in debate. Article 8 asks Town Meeting to authorize the Board of Selectmen to take control of the 1820 Courthouse, Commissioners' Building, the former police station and surrounding parcels in order to develop and/or protect the historical courthouse building. At the Spring Town Meeting, the Plymouth Redevelopment Authority convinced representatives to vote against a similar measure on a smaller parcel. But it appears that both sides have come to some sort of agreement. Article 16A seeks approval to use CPA funds to allow the Greater…

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UPDATE: Selectmen Refuse to Support Moratorium Article

The Board of Selectmen have rejected a Town Meeting article calling for a moratorium on wind turbines in residential areas. The article will still be on the warrant.

Despite being approved by the Planning Board, an article calling for a two-year moratorium on building wind turbines in residential areas was rejected by the Board of Selectmen Tuesday. The article was defeated on a 4-1 vote with only Selectman Ken Tavares voting in favor. According to WATD, during discussion of the article, selectmen said they had faith in the Planning Board and its permitting process. This seems a contradiction to the petitioner Kerry Kearney: “The Planning Board’s decision was to approve a moratorium only in residential zones, to allow them in industrial zones, and I think that was the right decision, and I’m surprised the Selectmen did not support the Planning Board’s decision when they were adamant that they support …

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Marie Jane

10:52 am on Saturday, September 22, 2012

A moratorium is temporary.I am certain that each of the Seletmen is dedicated to public service,to making informed decisions, decisions made in the best interest of the taxpayer and residents.Moratorium gives you each the opportunity to do that.Educate yourselves about the facts and fallacies of Industrial Wind Turbines.Do you know beyond reasonable doubt the safe distance between humans and …   more ›

Should Plymouth Place a Moratorium on Wind Turbines?

Town Meeting will consider a petitioned article to halt permitting for wind turbines for two years, do you believe wind turbines are a detriment to health or are they an eyesore in neighborhoods?

With four wind turbines peeking over the horizon along Route 3 in Kingston and seven more lined up for construction in Plymouth, a group of residents has submitted a petition for a Fall Town Meeting article that would set a two-year moratorium on more permits, and the group is getting support from many people, who say they support “green energy” from across the region. The framed image of Plymouth Bay lined with offshore turbines located in the Mayflower Meeting Room at Town Hall, as well as the goal of the beginnings of energy independence by 2020, are facing a backlash of opposition. The Planning Board began its review of the article Monday, as dozens of people, including residents from neighboring towns, spoke against zoning turbines in…

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Panel Releases Report on Health Effects of Wind Turbines

No evidence found for direct harm caused by noise or shadow flicker from wind turbines – community comment period open now through March 19th

An independent panel of scientists studying whether there is a potential for harm caused by wind turbines has issued its report, “Wind Turbine Health Impact Study: Report of the Independent Expert Panel.” Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) convened the panel composed of physicians and scientists with expertise in areas such as acoustical noise/infrasound, public health, sleep disturbance, mechanical engineering, epidemiology, and neuroscience. There will be three public meetings on the report in February as part of a 60-day comment period. A Press Release from MassDEP states that, “The independent report was proactively sought to help address questions …

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A Different Wind Turbine

A demonstration project aims at making Plymouth comfortable with wind-generated electricity.

It looks like a couple of white metal barrels with slats cut out. It spins in the wind and makes electricity. Not a propeller-style wind turbine, it makes less noise and doesn't interfere with radio signals. You might see one soon on a hill off Route 44. Monday night the Planning bBard recommended that the Zoning Board approve a permit to allow Jim Sweeney and Sustainable New Energy erect such a turbine on land leased from the Almeida family in North Plymouth. The 79-foot tower would help power a potential clean energy center on the site, but more than power generation, Sweeney wants visibility from the turbine. Sweeney presented the proposal as a demonstration project. After the meeting, he elaborated. "Hopefully, once Plymouth gets used …

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Casey Meserve

1:40 pm on Thursday, March 3, 2011

This is a private sector venture and they get no property tax relief. The developer, who leases the land from the Almeidas, has paid the town to review the proposal.   more ›

Letters To the Editor

Wind Energy is Plymouth's Future

Energy expert Francis Killorin provides some reasons why wind energy would be a financially, as well as an environmentally, sound practice in Plymouth.

You and I grew up taking oil, gas, and coal for granted, with no reason to consider any alternatives. Even today, despite the evidence of climate change, the awful environmental results of extracting and burning the fossils, and the risks inherent in our dependence on imported petroleum, too many Americans cling to the belief, or the hope, that change is not necessary. Actually, change is unavoidable. We simply have to end the burning of carbon-rich, risk-laden fossil fuels. It can be done. In fact, on many fronts, such as wind and solar, the entrepreneurs are already doing a lot. Today, financing wind and solar is relatively easy. Wind and solar enjoy free fuel for life, and installation cost is partially subsidized by the Renewable …

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