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March 29, 2010

BRIGHTON PLANTATION Turbine issue draws residents to annual meeting

BY JOHN HARLOW Correspondent

BRIGHTON PLANTATION -- An opponent of a wind development project in the Highland Mountains carried her group's message to the town meeting Saturday.

"We are not antiwind," said development opponent, Karen Pease, who spoke on behalf of Friends of Highland Mountains, "We are for the responsible placement of wind turbines, if such a thing exists ... Friends of Highland Mountains are very environmentally-conscious people, and what we have found is that these turbines are not green ... The impact to the land, wildlife and human beings who are in the sound shed of these things is turning out to be pretty scary."

Pease and Friends of Highland Mountains oppose the proposal by Highland Wind LLC to build roughly 48 wind turbines across rural Somerset County, near the Bigelow Preserve.

"There's a lot of issues health-wise," Pease said. "Wildlife is pretty much being ignored. I wrote to the fish and game commissioner, he said we share your concern with Maine's wildlife, we believe this is going to have a negative impact," Pease said.

"It sounds like a good idea at first," said Jason Biel, who works as an apprentice at a local Brighton farm. "I always thought wind energy was a good idea, but I guess it's a different story when it's in your own backyard."

Locals also voted on a number of issues. Jo-Ann Gooridge kept her seat as first selectman. Paul Keaton held on to his second selectman position in an 18-15 vote against Louis Johnson Jr. Johnson was then elected third selectman and animal control officer, with a pay increase from $50 to $250 dollars as animal control officer.

Residents also decided not take an offer on an aging water tanker owned and used by the Athens Fire Department.

The water tanker would act as a first response to extinguish any fires in the area. Residents decided to table the issue and asked the selectman to look into options at a later date.

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