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

Mon Nov 22 18:14:48 EST 2010

Interesting questions. In Concord we would generally review the  
location of meters if it was part of a renovation or other project. I  
suspect there have been meters installed without benefit of review.  
Most applicants are happy to not have the meter on their front facade  
as they find it unattractive. Concord has it's own Municipal Power Co.  
so dealing with them is a lot easier than a large Co. like National  
Grid. The local company bends over backward to accommodate rate-payers  
and the town commissions.

I don't know of any problem or restriction locating the meter some  
distance within the building from the main panel - it's certainly  
allowed by code and may be fairly easy if a route for the conduit is  
available provided. In my own house I upgraded a service, moved the  
meter,  and the panel is perhaps 20' or so from the meter.  Certainly  
this is not a "5 figure issue" in most cases. Maybe I'm missing  
something here.....

Meters are unsightly, no question, but they are getting better, as  
technically they get smaller (and smarter). I'm not totally up on my  
meter technology but I would think we should be close to the point  
where new meters can include a remote read feature that would allow  
the main meter to be hidden and only a small inconspicuous box  
installed on the street side. This is done now with water meters.

Ms. Durkin - nice try, but in the case you cite, the turbine itself  
would have to be located within the Local Historic District, not just  
visible from a public way within the District. An HDC does not have  
jurisdiction over something built miles (or even feet) outside the LHD  
just because it can be seen from some point within the HDC.  If that  
were the case a tall building in Boston might be subject to review by  
the HDC in Arlington and several other towns with a view of the Boston  
skyline, which would be silly.  Unless the foundation of the structure  
lies within the boundaries of the Local Historic District AND (not or)  
it can be seen from a public way, the HDC has no jurisdiction. The  
proposed wind bill does pose interesting public policy questions -  
much like 40b does - local imposition vs greater public gain. I'm sure  
that will be fodder for much debate.

Sam Bird
Concord

On Nov 22, 2010, at 4:43 PM, Bjdurk at aol.com wrote:

> 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
>
> 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
>
> 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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