Wind Turbine Concerns Aired in Shelton

Proposed regulations that would allow wind turbines in Shelton ​“could open a Pandora’s box” of requests — so Planning and Zoning Commissioners said they want to move forward carefully. 

The commission Wednesday held its first public hearing on a regulation change that would allow companies to apply for special permits to build wind turbines in Shelton. 

Torrington wind power company Optiwind has proposed the changes in hopes that it can eventually build one of its wind turbines at the Parrott Drive plant of MBI Inc., a collectibles manufacturer. 

According to MBI Facilities Manager Jim Troy, due to current economic conditions, MBI would like to defer costs and reduce its bottom line by generating some of its own electricity using the wind turbines.

Concerns About the Regulations

The issue currently before the commission is whether to adopt regulations that would allow MBI and other companies to apply for permits to build wind turbines. 

Commission chairman Ruth Parkins pointed out that the commission is not considering a specific proposal from MBI at this time.

“This is a very complex issue that will need a lot of consideration,” Parkins said.

Commission member consultant Anthony J. Panico said the commission will have to consider the proposal ​“very carefully.” 

He was concerned about the vagueness of the proposed regulations and the way that they could be open to interpretation. 

“This is not normally how we write our regulations in Shelton,” he said. 

Because the regulation changes, if adopted, would allow turbines in some cases, the conversation also focused on concerns about wind turbines in general.

“This could open a Pandora’s box for any company to come in,” said commissioner Joe Sedlock. ​“I would prefer to see it tabled until we have more information on the noise.”

Concerns About the Turbines

One major source of concern was what would happen to a turbine if a company were to move to a new location and decide it was not in their best interest to take the turbine with them. 

Commission members were concerned that the town might have to foot the bill for removing a turbine. 

“We don’t want an eyesore” if the turbine is abandoned, Panico said.

Optiwind Site Development and Permitting Manager Matthew Speck replied that it would be a good value proposition to move the turbine if the company’s new location had appropriate wind. 

He also said that having a turbine on the property could be an attractive proposition for a new tenant coming in and looking to save money on energy.

Commission members also expressed concern about the size of turbines. 

Speck said a turbine currently in use in New Haven is 150 feet tall, and that the turbine Optiwind would like to build in Shelton would be the maximum allowable 200 feet.

The possible noise that wind turbines produce was another major area of concern. 

Speck said Optiwind has improved on other turbine companies’ designs and that their turbines produce ​“more of a white noise” than other blades. ​“We don’t have the same acoustical signature” as other turbines, he said.

Public Input

Members of the public had similar concerns.

Ingrid Waters said her major issue with the turbines is noise. 

“I think the regulations should stipulate which kind of noise the turbines could make,” Waters said. ​“Noise levels in Canada, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand are very strict.”

Waters added that other countries require turbines to be located at least 1.5 miles from the nearest residential property in order to avoid health problems caused by noise.

Donald Sosenko, who owns a farm at 248 Long Hill Cross Road that borders the MBI property, said letting Optiwind write the proposed regulations is ​“a conflict of interest.” 

He was concerned that a turbine on MBI​’s land would be too close to the property line.

He was also concerned about the possibility of debris blowing onto other properties.

Sosenko was worried that quality of life as well as property values could go be hurt for those who live nearby. 

“I’m really against the wind turbine in Shelton,” Sosenko said.

The commission Wednesday continued the public hearing on the matter until June 23.

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