Harvard residents may see windmills in backyards, after all.
Residents voiced concern at the Annual Town Meeting May 2 that the proposed special permit process for residential wind turbines was too restrictive, and they moved to take no action on an amendment to the protective bylaw that would allow the machines. However, hope was expressed that a new bylaw could be drafted in time for the Annual Town Meeting in 2010.
The Planning Board has agreed to form a group composed of residents who have expertise and knowledge of wind turbines to work with the board to find a compromise between the citizens’ support for fewer restrictions and the protection of abutters’ property rights. Chairman Joe Sudol said at the board’s May 18 meeting, “At the Planning Board meeting June 1 we will make recommendations and agree on who should be a part of this group and send out invitations shortly thereafter.”
John Sweeney, a member of the original citizens’ group that drafted the wind-energy conversion bylaw in 2008, asked the board to consider allowing the use of guy wires that would allow a pole to be smaller in diameter and cross-sectional area and, therefore, less expensive than a monopole. Sudol advised that the use of guy wires would take up more area around the pole, and this might be an issue with smaller lots and setbacks. Sudol added, “Guy wires also require maintenance. If the applicants understand this, then the Planning Board would not object and would leave it as an applicant’s choice.”
Sweeney also objected to the specification in the bylaw that required a pole to be 120 feet long because this would require that a pole be made to meet the special permit requirements, and such a pole would be more expensive. Sudol confirmed that the board will research the standard length of the poles. He said, “The Planning Board will adjust max height allowed to conform to these sizes.”
In a follow-up interview, Sudol addressed residents’ concerns that the special permit process was too expensive and could discourage people from applying to install a wind turbine. He said, “If guy wires are used, yes, the cost of pole and installation will be less expensive.”
