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Politics & Government

Wind Feasibility Study Clears First Hurdle

Siting of wind turbine just at the beginning of the process.

The got a green light, of sorts, from the consultant hired to determine if it is feasible to construct a wind turbine or turbines behind the Little League fields near the Swampscott Middle School.

According to Renewable Energy Committee Chairman Neal Duffy, Jonathan Markey of Meridien Associates reported to the committee at a meeting on Wednesday night, that his study of the site behind the Swampscottshows that the location, in terms of wind power and the likely acoustic impacts to neighbors, is indeed a feasible site for a wind turbine of between 600 and 900 kilowatt hours (kWh).

"The study is really just in draft phase right now," explained Duffy. "I believe that the next step is for the report to be reviewed and finalized and then it would go to the Board of Selectmen."

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Duffy noted that there were several residents from the neigborhood surrounding the Little League fields, who were interested in hearing about the findings of the report.

"Obviously, they 'have questions and concerns about the siting of the turbines and this feasibility study," said Duffy. "But, I think they also realized after the meeting that we really are at the very beginning of this process. This report (from Meridien) is just the first step."

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The committee also hosted a number of prospective new members to the panel, people who have expressed interest in joing the committee.

The three potential new members are Thomas Dreeben, who has attended two meeting of the REC, and Norma Rooks and Hal Schwartz, who each attended their first meeting on Wednesday night.

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