Think for a moment about your surrounding neighborhood. Do any of your neighbors own 60 acres or more? If so, you could have an industrial wind turbine closer to your home then you realize.

The town of Hamlin has been approached by wind farm developers interested in placing industrial wind turbines and associated electrical power distribution systems within our residential-very-low-density areas (~70% of Hamlin). Although this seems contrary to Hamlin’s comprehensive master plan which repeatedly stresses the importance of maintaining our ‘rural character’, the master plan was recently modified to permit such development. Further, the town currently has no zoning laws to mandate the setback of wind turbines from property lines, limit their maximum height, noise levels or any other feature of their placement / operation which may impose upon those living near them. It is critical that strong zoning laws are enacted which (1) protect the citizens of Hamlin and (2) cannot be overturned by a mere ‘request for variance’.

There are currently 8 wind-development companies actively pursuing the placement of industrial wind farms in New York State, and over 30 such companies in the US. Wind energy development is not a benevolent endeavor; it is a business whose primary goal is to make money. As such, wind developers have become extremely adept at enticing landowners and towns while minimizing the potential negative effects to those living near them. A few such negative effects are: stroboscopic flicker, continuously repetitive noise, blinking aircraft warning lights, property devaluation, bird and bat strikes and the profound change in character these enormous machines make on a neighborhood.

What's in this for you? The short answer is "very little". You will NOT be receiving free electricity. Actually, the more wind towers that go up, the more you will pay for electricity. And if you think your taxes will go down and we will be saving the planet, please do some homework.

There are many viable sources of ‘green’ energy to be considered such as clean coal, new solar, biomass and most important of all – energy conservation. We must not be blinded by the promise of short-term financial gains when the cost to our town’s character and ultimately our quality of life is so great. The only way to ensure that the safety, beauty and character of our neighborhoods are not sold to the highest bidder is to GET INVOLVED.

The Town of Hamlin hosts wind committee meetings every first and third Tuesday of the month at the Hamlin Town Hall. Details regarding wind committee meetings and town board meetings can be found at: http://www.hamlinny.org/