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The study will be performed by a technical consultant from KEMA Inc., under contract to the RET.
Officials are considering building at least one wind turbine near Quarry Hills, on town-owned land near Granite Links Golf Club. According to Town Administrator Kevin Mearn, the site is the only one in town deemed feasible by MTC where grant money could be available.
He said the wind turbines being proposed could save up to $700,000 each in energy costs.
“If two of these wind turbines were built, it would cover the entire cost of our [town] building energy for one year,” he told Selectmen Feb. 18.
He said the Planning Board is reviewing a warrant article proposed for Annual Town Meeting to create zoning for the wind-turbine site. The Wind Energy Committee will present a plan Wednesday, March 4, at 7 p.m. at the senior center, located at 10 Walnut St. It will be a first in a series of meetings.
“It’s got to be done carefully,” Selectmen John Shields said. “Let’s get some momentum going to see what a wind turbine can do for us before we go changing bylaws.”
Selectmen Chair Kathy Fagan said the committee is also working directly with members of the Planning Board on the language of the article.
“I think it’s great that we’re looking at this, especially in the tough economic times we’re in right now,” Fagan noted.