A petition signed by neighbours and adjacent landowners expressing “serious concerns” about the wind farm being built on Lots 2 and 3, Line 2, Wellington North was presented to council Monday evening.
Those signing the petition said the project, “less than a kilometer from an excess of 2000 people, is very poorly thought out in light of recent articles in the local press relating to individuals living in close proximity to wind turbines and the resulting negative health effects some have experienced.”
The petition pointed out that since “noted authorities (such) as Dr. Hazel Lynn, the medical officer of health for Grey Bruce and Dr. Robert McMurty, the former Dean of Medicine at the University of Western Ontario, are advocating a moratorium on the building of these turbines until a comprehensive study can be conducted on their effect on human health, this municipality should err on the side of caution and adopt this viewpoint as well.”
Mayor Mike Broomhead, at Monday’s meeting, questioned why the petition was coming to council well after the public meeting was held and subsequently building permits issued.
Councillor John Matusenic explained he had been contacted prior to the public meetings by some of those signing the petition and had explained the township had held the project up until it was satisfied with the standards it had imposed. However, the petition was at council this week, he said, because of “new findings” and the fact that ratepayers in the Belwood area and Mapleton are appealing to their municipal governments to ask the McGuinty government to halt wind farms until the new findings are studied.
“I think council should support the moratorium end of it,” he said.
CAO Lori Heinbuch reminded him that council had passed a resolution supporting such a moratorium.
On Dec. 14 Councillor Bob Mason, seconded by Councillor Ross Chaulk, passed a resolution that the “Council of the Corporation of the Township of Wellington North support the resolution of the County of Grey regarding industrial wind turbines”.
“When we were dealing with Schneider Power we had a say, now the province has taken that control away (with Bill 150, the Green Energy and Green Economy Act,” Mayor Broomhead said, instructing staff to send a letter to those signing the petition about the process followed and the change in who makes the rules.
“If they’d like to come to council and speak more on it, they’re more than welcome,” he said.
The petition says the neighbors and adjacent landowners are also concerned about “the noise pollution emitted from these wind turbines and the resulting aggravation and loss of enjoyment of property this will cause.”
It also noted that those signing “do not agree with the proposed location of these units, 162 meters from Sideroad 3 (as it is) too close to the property line and roadway and as a result compromises any future severance plans for the adjacent landowner.”
Another serious concern, the petition points out, is “the resulting depreciation of property values for those property owners surrounding the project.”