Seriously, how about some windmills on the waterfront?
17 comments:
Anonymous
said...
We should look into town sponsored windmills ON LAND in the local area. They could be on farms like the ones at Cider Hill in Amesbury. It could be a partnership of city or town bonding capability, the farmer's land and National Grid.
On land means fewer environmental concerns,and fewer levels of approval. True 'wind farm crops'
"they all laughed at Wilber and his brother when they said that man could fly"........
sung by Fred Astaire to Ginger Rogers
New ideas often look foolish in the context of conventional wisdom. Some ideas end up flawed,others end up as progress. Isn't trying something better than inaction?
Well, I was trying to make a point with humor. One man's ideal spot is another's back yard. And while I hate to play the NIMBY card, it's the inherent problem with wind power. I believe the Cider Hill folks ran into some opposition.
Now perhaps some would prefer a wind farm to say - a subdivision, just don't have a feel for that.
My guess is that the common pasture isn't suitable, but I'd be curious as to how receptive the open space crowd would be.
Honestly, the NIMBY aspect will keep windpower out of Newburyport for the foreseeable future. It's been hard enough to get cellphone towers approved (this despite the fact that everyone in town uses a cellphone, sometimes to excess, a fine example of the social cognitive dissonance that's taken hold in Newburyport over the last five or six years).
My understanding is that wind mills are considered normal farm equipment[electricity to pump water, etc.] by federal laws and although there is scope for zoning for setbacks from roads,airfields, etc. also endangered species, critical habitat ,etc.it is a basic farming tool -like barns and tractors- that is diligently protected by National Farmer's lobby.
Also re:Little River, a land owner just south of train station is just now installing a wind tower having obtained all the permits as well as various grants and subsidies.
We all hate cell phone towers, how many of us have stopped using our cell phones. Our need for constant, instant communication is the foundation of these monuments to progress. can you hear me now? Just for the record I hate oil companies, but still drive my car.
Yes, the hatred for the towers is universal, yet the same people who complain about unsightly towers will complain when they can't get a cellphone signal in a 'dead spot'. My point wasn't the towers specifically, it's the inconsistent attitude.
The same thing is happening with Karp. People have worked long and hard to make Newburyport a wonderful and attractive seaside community...and now a developer with some $$$ and an interest in doing business in that type of community has noticed.
From a sociological standpoint it will be very interesting to see what happens over the next few years...
I actually had the chance to vote on one when I sat on the Sutton planning board. A farmowner was the petitioner and they made that very case.
Still, there was enough opposition from neighbors, many of whom lived at least a half mile away.
The windmill would have sat--or sits--atop hill leading to a very impressive view.
All and all though people went along with the idea, especially since it made the farm a more viable entity which means it wouldn't be turned over to a developer anytime soon.
I didn't mean to suggest subsidies. Just perhaps the local towns and city enabling, encouraging, etc. For instance if the mayor, city counsel chair, planning board and/or city planning director published a little statement saying: If you want to build a windmill we'll work with you and help you meet high but rational standards.
The City is aggressively looking at wind turbines in Newburyport. For starters, I point you to this article from the Newburyport Daily News about Mark Richey Woodworking plans to erect a turbine.
As you read this, a City-managed wind energy subcommittee meets to talk about creating a zoning ordinance for turbines; and later this month, the Mayor's energy advisory committee will hold its kickoff meeting.
We're serious about green energy, whether wind turbines, solar panels, in-stream hydroelectric, photovoltaic, tidal energy, etc.
17 comments:
We should look into town sponsored windmills ON LAND in the local area. They could be on farms like the ones at Cider Hill in Amesbury. It could be a partnership of city or town bonding capability, the farmer's land and National Grid.
On land means fewer environmental concerns,and fewer levels of approval. True 'wind farm crops'
Yet another use for the NRA lots !!!
I'm also thinking right on the beach at plum island - they can double as lifeguard chairs.
I want two on top of the Gillis bridge.
One on the Towle Building.
And one at the Newbury border near the proposed Little River project just to send a message.
They can also double as cell phone towers. Naturally, they'll have to have a unique appearance so they won't be considered a chain store.
"they all laughed at Wilber and his brother when they said that man could fly"........
sung by Fred Astaire to Ginger Rogers
New ideas often look foolish in the context of conventional wisdom. Some ideas end up flawed,others end up as progress. Isn't trying something better than inaction?
Well, I'm not suggesting wind farms are foolish. I'm quite the fan (no pun intended.)
I'm merely trying to take the concept to ridiculous extremes in pursuit of a cheap laugh.
I can't vouch for scissors though.
I wonder if some could be erected on the pasture along Route 95 where Tendercrop's cows now roam?
Well, I was trying to make a point with humor. One man's ideal spot is another's back yard. And while I hate to play the NIMBY card, it's the inherent problem with wind power. I believe the Cider Hill folks ran into some opposition.
Now perhaps some would prefer a wind farm to say - a subdivision, just don't have a feel for that.
My guess is that the common pasture isn't suitable, but I'd be curious as to how receptive the open space crowd would be.
Honestly, the NIMBY aspect will keep windpower out of Newburyport for the foreseeable future. It's been hard enough to get cellphone towers approved (this despite the fact that everyone in town uses a cellphone, sometimes to excess, a fine example of the social cognitive dissonance that's taken hold in Newburyport over the last five or six years).
My understanding is that wind mills are considered normal farm equipment[electricity to pump water, etc.] by federal laws and although there is scope for zoning for setbacks from roads,airfields, etc. also endangered species, critical habitat ,etc.it is a basic farming tool -like barns and tractors- that is diligently protected by National Farmer's lobby.
Also re:Little River, a land owner just south of train station is just now installing a wind tower having obtained all the permits as well as various grants and subsidies.
Again, I think it's unfair to cast this as exclusively a Newburyport issue. Cell tower hating is quite universal.
But fair point on the NIMBY thing.
We all hate cell phone towers, how many of us have stopped using our cell phones.
Our need for constant, instant communication is the foundation of these monuments to progress.
can you hear me now?
Just for the record I hate oil companies, but still drive my car.
Yes, the hatred for the towers is universal, yet the same people who complain about unsightly towers will complain when they can't get a cellphone signal in a 'dead spot'. My point wasn't the towers specifically, it's the inconsistent attitude.
The same thing is happening with Karp. People have worked long and hard to make Newburyport a wonderful and attractive seaside community...and now a developer with some $$$ and an interest in doing business in that type of community has noticed.
From a sociological standpoint it will be very interesting to see what happens over the next few years...
I actually had the chance to vote on one when I sat on the Sutton planning board. A farmowner was the petitioner and they made that very case.
Still, there was enough opposition from neighbors, many of whom lived at least a half mile away.
The windmill would have sat--or sits--atop hill leading to a very impressive view.
All and all though people went along with the idea, especially since it made the farm a more viable entity which means it wouldn't be turned over to a developer anytime soon.
I don't mind the windmills, but i ain't putting on no wooden shoes.
rm,
I'm curious as to why you think the city or town should subsidize the project ?
Runswithscissors,
I didn't mean to suggest subsidies. Just perhaps the local towns and city enabling, encouraging, etc. For instance if the mayor, city counsel chair, planning board and/or city planning director published a little statement saying: If you want to build a windmill we'll work with you and help you meet high but rational standards.
The City is aggressively looking at wind turbines in Newburyport. For starters, I point you to this article from the Newburyport Daily News about Mark Richey Woodworking plans to erect a turbine.
As you read this, a City-managed wind energy subcommittee meets to talk about creating a zoning ordinance for turbines; and later this month, the Mayor's energy advisory committee will hold its kickoff meeting.
We're serious about green energy, whether wind turbines, solar panels, in-stream hydroelectric, photovoltaic, tidal energy, etc.
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