Sherman to vote on wind ordinance

By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
    SHERMAN — Residents of Sherman will have the opportunity to discuss health and safety issues related to installation of wind turbines during a public hearing next Tuesday, Jan. 11 at 6:30 p.m. in the town office.
    One hundred registered Sherman voters had signed a petition to bring a proposed ordinance to a vote. It is modeled after one adopted in 2009 in Dixmont regulating sound levels, location, maintenance, safety procedures and size of wind turbines.
    Victor Botting, one of the signatories of the petition, expressed concern about ice being thrown from the blades in addition to noise levels, vibrations and possible drops in property values. “I want them set back a safe distance from our home.” He said he wants the ordinance to require a one-mile setback. “Most of us are not against the windmills. Right now they can put them 600 feet from our property line.” Botting said some reports show the blades can throw ice as far as 800 feet.
    According to Sherman Town Manager, Debra O’Roak, Fred Mendel presented a petition and a proposed ordinance to the Board of Selectpersons at their meeting on Dec. 28. That’s when the Jan. 11 public meeting was set. According to O’Roak some residents have already stopped into her office to pick up a copy of the Sherman Wind Energy Facility Ordinance, but have not expressed strong views one way or another.