[MassHistPres] electric meters, wind turbines, and Historic District Commission

Mon Nov 22 16:43:48 EST 2010

Chris et  al:  

Regarding your  clarification on placement of electric meters, Chris, 
"...as a structure visible  from a public way, it is regulated by the historic 
district commission." 

A 400' wind turbine is  certainly a structure that would be visible from a 
public way.  The wind bill erodes  environmental and public protections as 
the intent is an expedited permitting  process for wind energy developers. 
One could assume that  historic district commissions would have regulatory 
authority in  siting 400' wind turbines.  I think it's more prudent  to assume 
that historic district commissions will have no say in where wind  turbines 
are sited in Massachusetts if the wind bill becomes The Wind  Turbine Siting 
Reform Act.  

Do you have access to  information that clarifies what impact the wind bill 
has  on historic district commissions' regulatory authority over structures 
 visible from 50 miles away?

Thank You, 

Barbara  Durkin 

Worcester Telegram  & Gazette
Sunday, November 21, 2010

An ill  wind threatens our freedoms

The article “Wind resistance/Plans for turbines  generate questions, 
opposition” (Telegram & Gazette, Nov. 17) illuminates  the core protections 
afforded to citizens in communities determining if and  where wind turbines will 
be sited, current zoning. A two-thirds town meeting  vote is required for a 
zoning change. 

Enter the wind bill. The intent of  the bill is to shift the power of town 
meeting vote to an appointed panel that  would make all wind turbine siting 
decisions. This bill constitutes the erosion  of public and environmental 
protections now in place in communities that include  setbacks, height 
restrictions and all local requirements. 
The Nov. 15 Boston  Business Journal reported that, according to state 
energy spokeswoman Lisa  Capone, the wind bill would not allow the state to 
overrule local zoning rules.  However, according to the wind bill, the wind 
energy permitting board created by  the bill “has the authority to waive any 
local requirements needed to permit the  facility, including, e.g., use limits 
and height limits in local zoning bylaws.”  

The wind bill is a bad bill as it undermines citizens’ rights by design.  It
’s coauthored by a wind developer seeking unlimited, unmerited development  
potential and profits. By the wind bill, the public surrenders current 
zoning  protections and the power of town meeting’s two-thirds vote to wind 
developers  and their investors. 

BARBARA DURKIN 

Northboro 

_http://www.mass.gov/dcr/news/publicmeetings/forestry/wind%20energy%20siting
%20act%20summary.pdf_ 
(http://www.mass.gov/dcr/news/publicmeetings/forestry/wind%20energy%20siting%20act%20summary.pdf)  
SECTION  7 adds a new chapter 40T to establish a streamlined local 
permitting process for  wind energy facilities. This process is voluntary—the 
proponent may utilize it  or elect to follow existing permitting procedures.
New Chapter 40T,  Subsections 1-2: Municipalities in high wind areas 
designated by the department  of energy resources, consultation with the 
massachusetts municipal association,  must empanel a wind energy permitting board 
composed of representatives of the  conservation commission, planning board, 
and zoning board. In all other  municipalities, the municipality’s planning 
board will be conduct local  permitting of a wind energy facility.
Subsection 3: Once the board receives a  complete application, this board 
would take comments from the public and other  local boards, and issue one 
composite permit that includes local law and  regulation. The board has the 
authority to waive any local requirements needed  to permit the facility, 
including, e.g., use limits and height limits in local  zoning bylaws. 

In  a message dated 11/22/2010 3:22:04 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us writes:

Jim, as a structure visible from a public way,  it is regulated by the 
historic district commission.  

I'd be interested to hear the experiences of  other historic district 
commissions when it comes to electric meter placement,  particularly if an 
application is not filed by the electric utility,  thereby resulting in a 
violation.   Chris.

Christopher C.  Skelly
Director of Local Government  Programs
Massachusetts Historical  Commission
220 Morrissey Boulevard
Boston, MA 02125
(617) 727-8470
_Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us_ (mailto:Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us) 

____________________________________
 From: masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu  
[mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu] On Behalf Of james  howard
Sent: Monday, November 22, 2010 2:53 PM
To:  Historic Districts
Subject: [MassHistPres] Electric Meters in  Historic Districts

The Wenham Historic district Commission has never bothered to require  
approval of the placement of electric meters on the outside of buildings in  the 
Historic District.  Now National Grid, the local electric company, is  
asking for approval of the placement of an electric meter on the outside of an  
old church in the center of the district.  We were wondering whether any  
other historic District Commissions require the approval of the placement of  
electric meters on the outside if buildings in historic districts. Or 
perhaps  are they exempt from the need to be approved?

Thanks for your help.

Jim Howard
Chairman 
Wenham Historic District Commission

James M.  Howard
149 Main Street
Wenham, MA 01984
Tel: 978-468-1709
Cell:  978-317-4862

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