Opponents Unfairly Portrayed

 

To The Editor:

     I am an Eastham part time resident taxpayer and I am writing in response to the  letter entitled "Mob mentality squelched vision" appearing in the March 8, 2007 Edition of the Banner. 

 

     I cannot imagine how the writer could have so grossly misinterpreted the coverage of the Eastham Planning Board hearing on the wind turbine bylaw.  I attended that hearing.  We were told by Chair [Howard] Sandler at the outset that the hearing was not a forum on the pros and cons of wind turbines.  He said that its purpose was to discuss the merits of the zoning bylaw proposal that was before the board.  Many residents and other interested parties came to the meeting to offer comments on the zoning amendment proposal.  It was not a contentious meeting.  There was no evidence of a  "mob mentality".  Several people gave thoughtful comments that clearly showed that they had done substantial research on the matter.  It was refreshing that the planning board was willing to listen with open minds. This is something we've not experienced from other town boards and committees.  There was not a single person, including the representative of the Eastham Energy Committee, that spoke in favor of the bylaw that the town had proposed.  This was because everyone there realized that the bylaw was fatally flawed and it did nothing to protect the town or its citizens.  By the way, "the gravel pit guy" didn't talk about noise.  He simply expressed  concerns that his property was being improperly encroached on.  The planning board was absolutely correct in deciding that the zoning proposal needed "a lot of work" and should be sent back to the drawing boards for a substantial redraft. 

 

     Since the writer asked, I must tell her that yes, I have gone to see and listen to the Hull 2 wind turbine.  I am impressed at how huge and imposing an industrial structure it is. I was also able to hear that it makes substantial, and annoying noise.   It is also an impressive example of visual pollution.  The writer's thoughtless and politically based questions about veterans, oil and nuclear facilities don't deserve a response.   The writer, or any one else who believes that the Eastham Wind Project will have any significant impact on the production of CO2 or that it will forestall the building of a single conventional generating facility is delusional.  In fact, the installation of wind turbines may actually make matters worse. 

 

     The planning board hearing did show that many residents and property owners are concerned, informed, organized and opposed to this project.  Yes, we are also angry ---- that the Board of Selectmen mislead the town by having Article 25 on the last town meeting warrant.  That article did not fairly describe the actual scope and location of the proposed wind project.  We are angry that the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, through the Renewable Energy Trust pilfers substantial money from our electric bills and then uses it to fund seriously flawed feasibility studies that harm residents and home owners.  We are angry that the Eastham Energy Committee refuses to give any credence to the legitimate concerns of the project neighbors but feels it must hire a PR agent to market its misguided scheme.    Yes, we are angry and we intend to continue to raise our legitimate concerns and to oppose this ill conceived and badly flawed wind project.

 

                                                        

 

                                                          Robert Misterka

                                                                                              Grafton, MA