Nov. 7--DIXFIELD -- More than 60 people turned out Friday night for the first public informational meeting on a proposed wind farm project on a ridgeline in Dixfield and Canton.
Most spoke against siting a wind farm on the Colonel Holman Mountain ridge, stating beliefs that noise and shadow flicker could cause a variety of illnesses in people who live within 2 miles of a turbine.
Three of the four speakers were opposed to wind turbines, with only Tom Carroll, project coordinator for Patriot Renewables LLC, of Quincy, Mass., advocating for the development of the project called Timber Winds. It would include 22 turbines.
Carroll said he and Todd Presson, chief executive officer of the company, wanted to learn the concerns of the people before the project went too far.
The company installed a meteorological tower on Colonel Holman Mountain about three months ago, an action that triggered a moratorium on turbine development until Dixfield could adopt an ordinance to regulate such construction.
"We'll get a bus to take you or school kids to the project in Freedom," he said.
The company did a similar thing a couple of months ago as part of its efforts toward building a wind farm in neighboring Carthage. The company is also planning a similar project in Woodstock.
Dixfield resident Tom Powell said the state does not need the energy that would be produced from turbines, adding that electricity bills would increase dramatically with power supplied from wind.
"The concept and financials are flawed. These things will bankrupt you," he said. "An ordinance should be in place as soon as possible."
Dr. Albert Aniel presented reports that he said showed how residents living near the state's first wind farm in Mars Hill have been adversely affected through physical and mental illnesses, as well as by experiencing a drop in real estate values.
Steve Thurston, a summer resident of Roxbury where a wind farm is currently under construction by Record Wind, said people in Dixfield should expect an increase of 20 decibels in noise if a wind farm is built.
And Monique Aniel asked Carroll what gave him the right to destroy the landscape.
"I would disagree that we are destroying the landscape. The project has not been engineered yet," he said.
Resident Jon Holmes said everything he heard during the meeting was negative.
"But there's got to be some advantage to the town of Dixfield. What would the town gain?" he asked.
Carroll said that although there would likely be tax benefits and other tangible benefits, the project was still in the feasibility stage.
This was the first time many had learned that Canton Mountain would be included in the project if it should go forward.
Canton Selectman Jackie Conant, reached at home Friday night, said Patriot Renewables contacted the board by letter in September.
Because no application has yet been made to erect a meteorological tower on Canton Mountain, the board has taken no action.
"We haven't rushed to do anything and we haven't talked about it," she said.
Canton does not have any land use regulations to govern such development.
Carroll and Presson said a second informational meeting will be held sometime after the first of the year.
"There are experts who take an opposite view from the three speakers. We'd rather have them speak for wind power. Once we know more about the project, we'll know the benefits to the town. We felt it was important to be here," Carroll said.
Patriot Renewables is setting up a storefront to provide residents with information about wind power at the former Holmes Market on Main Street next week. Carroll plans to staff it four days a week.
Thurston said the group Citizens Task Force on Wind Power, whose members live in towns being studied for wind farm development, plans to hold a news conference in Augusta on Monday.
eadams@sunjournal.com
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