Gee I have those symptoms now when I read about and watch our state and legislature at work . I suppose it is all the wind that comes out of our state house. As for Fort kent, they should be allowed to have windmills with proper planning and setbacks...especially 1.2 miles from the docs house on the hill overlooking fort kent..

If there were no problem with sound ...why would the noise decible level tests First Wind bought and paid for be declared bogus by an outside engineer paid for by Mars Hill residents.Why didn't the state of ME pay for it so it would be credible. Notice how there are certain comments that minimize any complaint about wind farms. That is a blame the victim mentality that no longer works as a means to shape public opiniion . Three countries in Europe that have used industrial land based wind farms for decades have banned them !!!!!!!!!!!! The noise problems ...the town manager of Mars Hill not reading the proposal by First Wind ...just trusting them to tell the truth. This can all be found in BDN archives around the time the Mars Hill wind farm cranked up.

The proposal it self weighs about 50 lbs....It is deliberately obtuse so no one will read it. full of lies. No one in ME cares that First Wind lies. The tests to see how many birds were killed. That was done by Matt Kearn ..project manager ..for First Wind. His degree is BS in English/Environment. When he came out to explain the project to us here at Stetson Mt. ...He could only answer a few questions. Unfortunately, he did not tell the truth even with that poor showing.He usually answered with ,"I don't know." Or Robin Cluky project manager for DEP for the Mars Hill wind farm. She never even went up there. Said there were no complaints about the noise. There were ten at the time with follow ups. She had already been reprimanded for lying about noise but continued and still has her job.

Who cares how many birds were killed? Chronic sleep disturbance and may lead to depression and a host of other long-term, life-damaging effects, such as hypertension, weight gain . You have got to be kidding me. Don't forget about sun flicker too, wait maybe you should turn your head and not look at the blades. Bunch of wimps and bozo's.

This was a well planned, one sided forum. They can't stack a deck any better in Las Vegas.

Very well said, Mike. You can't get anything new in this town unless the rich people here approve it.

What Nissanbaum is referring to may be related somewhat to VibroAcoustic Disease (VAD). Exposure to low-frequency sound and infrasound can lead to VAD. Studies have shown that environments with high-intensity sound of 110 dB or more, coupled with low-frequency sounds below 100 Hz, place people at high risk for developing Vibroacoustic Disease. There does not appear to be any evidence that low frequency sounds by themselves would cause VAD. In the case of the windmill farm in Mars Hill ME, where residents have complained of the noise, it will be interesting to see what, if any, long-term (4 years or more) life damaging effects occur. Stay tuned.

This forum was a big steaming pile of hooey. It was not an informational meeting, it was an anti-windmill meeting. These are the mental midgets who signed a petition to get a 180 day moratorium on the construction of new windmills... construction which cannot occur that soon anyway since not a single application for a permit has been filed. The proposed windmills would be placed miles from town in the middle of potato fields. Almost no-one would even see them from their homes.

Besides, Citizens for Responsible Wind Development need not be concerned. Horizon Winds is not going to build where they are unwanted. Frenchville and St. Agatha will gladly take in the property tax money.

I also get quite a laugh that this group is led by some of the richest people in town... they don't need any new jobs in town, and they don't need a break on their property taxes. (Although a certain good doctor did try to get his million-dollar home capped at a mere $250,000 valuation.)

I also predict that if these windmills get built in the outlying tows, Fort Kent will experience an out-migration as people move from the high-tax Fort Kent the new windmill-funded low-tax towns.

Are these windmills going up right in the town of Fort Kent or the surrounding towns? Wonder why the fuss if they are not going on Main Street. to the best of my knowlegde anything to help the working class people here is always such a fuss. Let them build the windmills and release us from the grip of rich Arab's that can not stand us American's, but the love the "green".

Levite...if you really care ... go to windaction.org. and find out facts. First wind does not hire locals except for road work or security. They are so mean I guess they are afraid of sabotage. I am glad to see the road workers get work however. 2 power plants which use wood pulp and are called renewable will have to shut down when Stetson fires up . Dec. 6 or 8..Woodsmen will be out of work then. There was a problem with the turbines in Mars Hill and they had to have a service man imported from Louisiana. No coal or gas powered power plant has closed when wind farms were built. Does this mean anything to you? So this has nothing to do with Arabs...just looting of our treasury by criminals.

While I regret the personal attacks and tone of some of the comments here, the facts remain that there are potential issues with siting wind turbines too close to where people live.

Does anyone believe a college or instute of some sort will move to or open in Mars Hill? Or a high value added industry that will employ Mars Hill's young people? Will anyone ever move to Mars Hill and build a beatiful retirement home for him or herself? Will a hunting lodge, snowmobile business, or other resort-like business ever open in Mars Hill?

The Brookings Institute, as well as the Governor himself, have stated that Maine's future is dependent on its 'Quality of Place'. Fort Kent's major asset, apart form its people, is its natural setting and its 'Quality of Place'. A development that destroys or reduces that risks destroying Fort Kent's future in return for VERY short term economic gain. What tax revenues will the town see with 50 or 100 turbines turning, if the town empties because people find it unlivable or an unappealing place to move to? What happens to the UMFK campus? What happens to the hospital? Who will build homes in the shadows of wind turbines?

The 220 people who signed a petition asking for a moratorium until an ordinance is in place to guide appropriate siting of wind turbines in Fort Kent are not against wind turbines, or alternative, green energy, and neither am I. Please read my Op-Ed, published right here in the Bangor Daily News at http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/76.html

As for people moving away from Fort Kent to other local towns because taxes will soon be much lower in those with Wind Turbines, that is highly unlikely. One can also predict that people will want to move to Fort Kent because it had the foresight to ensure that the turbines were placed appropriately away from people's properties, particularly once the State claws back 50% of the tax or TIF revenues those towns may get from the wind developers - as is now the case in Mars Hill. After all, that is the State's 'cut' of the deal. Already, there are predictions that the mil rate will be going up in Mars Hill, despite the perosnal and quality of life sacrifice residents there made (not to mention the drops in their real estate valuations) to welcome First Wind.

Whether or not the Industrial Wind Turbine Industry makes sense is an economic and political question. The responsibility we have is to make sure that they do not do the Town of Fort Kent irreparable damage.

I love living in Fort Kent, and I care about it. I have spent time and resources trying to make the Town a better, healthier place, over the ten years I have lived here, long before the idea of building wind turbines arose. My efforts here are in the same direction. The efforts of our group are to ensure that for better or worse, inviting the Wind Turbine Industry into the town should be based on democratic principles, where everyone has a vote on an issue that, particularly if not well guided by a good ordinance, will result in a dramatic change in the character of Fort Kent and the quality of life its residents enjoy.

What is it about wind turbines that makes people so eager to ruin their environment with them? It reminds me of the old Billy Crystal sketch where he would intentionally hurt himself and then say, " I hate it when that happens". Do we have some collective guilt that causes us to punish ourselves for our self destructive behavior? We have been told and we believe that we are ruining the earth by burning fossil fuels, ruining our economy with greed and overindulgence, ruining our own lives with drugs, alcohol and other dysfunctional behavior. So what is our solution? Buildling behemoth arm waving machines in some of the few places that have not already been polluted by "progress". What a proud legacy we are leaving for future generations.

Fort Kent is the tip of the iceberg. The wind industry's appetite for government subsidies is limitless. No place where the wind blows is safe, particularly poor towns who cannot resist the appeal of lower property taxes, Roxbury for example. Visit SaveRoxbury.org to see what is blowing in the wind for us.

Well said Imperceptus!! *high five*

There is an ugly rumor in Fort Kent, and I am certain it is no more than a rumor, of a wealthy ridge line landowner on the western edge of town, who wants to place 20 or 30 of these turbines, who has offered at least one of his near downhill neighbors a sizable sum of money to be placed in some sort of escrow to cover the inevitable loss of real estate value those poor folks would suffer. Perhaps he'd be willing, along with his buddies in the Wind Company, to extend the same gracious insurance to the rest of us peons.

Or perhaps most everyone else should just grin and bear it, happy that the wealthy landowner can cash in at our expense. One for all, and all for one, after all!

This could not possibly be true, could it? After all, the Wind Companies will bet their mothers that real estate values are not affected (how exactly a home rendered unlivable by noise/vibration would not suffer a devaluation in value is a tremendous mystery).

If the turbines were to be placed in NY City, or in an industrial town where 1 or 2 automobile plants and a dozen other semi-heavy industries are humming along, employing thousands, one can say real estate values might not be significantly affected.

On the other hand, a small town dependent on outsiders who value the natural setting to work in its college and hospital ( the two major in-town employers), and on the small local businesses that depend on snowmobile and hunting recreation also dependent on a reasonably pristine natural setting, might be expected to suffer tremendously if its major asset were degraded by poorly guided Industrial Wind Turbine development.

How likely is it that the 5 or 10 wind company employees will make up enough demand to cover the dozens or hundred homes that might be placed on the market as people who have the option of living elsewhere decide to leave - if the turbines are placed too close to them?

And what happens to the many elderly and poor, trapped in Fort Kent, unable to sell, unable to buy anywhere else, and now, with dwindling local services available to them?

Does the wealthy landowner care? He may be too busy collecting income on 20 turbines, perhaps 140K/year or more, and living the good life elsewhere, while his town dies a slow death. Sound good?

Currently, other rumors circulate in Fort Kent that electricity will be free for residents, or cost much less, and that property taxes will be not just reduced, but slashed. Where are the responsible voices telling them this is simply just not true? Is the company complicit in this misinformation? I don't know.

Many people, it is true, struggle mightily to continue to live in Fort Kent, and 150.00/year off of taxes will make a real difference to them.

Hooking us up to the Quebec grid, in a formal manner, with the cost savings passed on to us, would provide far greater benefit (without the mutilation of our ridgelines, quality of life, and real estate values), allowing the less fortunate to heat their homes with electricity, and help us attract real value added industry and real jobs, keeping the young people here (currently 3 out of 4 high schoolers plan to leave!) or attracting them back. Will they come back to an industrial wind turbine town?

This is a situation crying out for real leadership at the Governor's level. But where is it? He's perhaps too busy riding on the wind bandwagon, rushing to export even more electricity that we already do, while we pay the third highest rates in the continental USA.

Welcoming the Wind Companies here without an ordinance, to allow them to drop these things wherever they find a willing landowner, is no doubt a financial shot in the arm - but short term for the town, and with tremendous long term downside for everybody else, except perhaps for poorly informed or self centered folk who think their right to collect an income on their land trumps everyone else's right to quality of life and enjoyment of their property.

I certainly understand the poor man who for whom having a turbine or two would mean the difference between poverty and a life with some comforts.

It is more difficult to understand the truly wealthy man who wants more, at everyone else's expense.

Why is it that the guy whose family has been here for generations cares less than the guy who moved here 10 years ago? Funny, that!

If the Maine goverment could figure out a way to tax the wind (i.e. 10 cents per 100 cubic feet of air flow) they would not hesitate to allow wind turbines anywhere in this "pristene" state.

Go to Mars Hill and ask them if their property taxes went down or electricity bills went up. One resident told me the first year she had $100.00 knocked off her property taxes and then the next year it was the same as ever. Her electricty bill went up 40% and was going up again. The town of Mars Hill thought the energy produced would be theirs. "Evergreen(now First Wind) did nothing to dispel the rumor." I can underastand that since First Wind would not say where the power would go even when the wind farm was up and running.

deace1- I can't see where the Maine Govornment has hesitated at all in allowing Turbines into our state. Our "wonderful" smart, highly intelligent , govorner has decided it's good for Maine. Since when does he know a good thing when he see's it? Everything he has done for Maine has only hurt us, but we are supposed to go along with this mess he is bringing to Maine? How about a REAL INDUSTRY Mr. Baldacci? One that will employ a few hundred workers, for more than a few months, now that would be a real good start!

wahhhh!! clean energy.... let's all piss and moan about windfarms while we continue to melt the polar caps. wahhhhh. your precious mountain views aren't gonna show thru all the polar ice if we continue on this way. Let's all get together and bitch about a solution. Clean energy.

Industrial wind turbines built where the wind is as unpredictable and unreliable as it is in most of Northern Maine is not a solution to global warming. It is not a matter of building turbines and the wind will come. They require sustained winds of 25-30 miles an hour for large enough time periods that some other source of electricity can be turned off. Not even the folks pushing this idea expect that to happen with Class 3 winds ( like the winds in those Aroostook County potato fields which by the way are very close to many, many houses.) The electricity generated by these 500-600 behemoths is targeted to be sold to the NE grid to increase their extra available supply. It will displace no fossil fuels and is not intended to. The real solution is to stop wasting electricity and start conserving while we come up with a real and useful solution to our environmentally harmful lifestyles.

The good doctor, whose home is so expensive that a lack of comps results in a valuation far below its worth, and who still went before the council to seek a special property tax break, is concerned that windmills will result in the closure of the hospital or university?

Excuse me... my side hurts from the laughing. I am so touched by his concern for the common man. (Strange how when you meet him in person, his attitude for the common man seems more along the lines of disdain.)

UMPI is building a windmill on campus... right in Presque Isle city limits. Yet, somehow windmills five miles out of town will shut down UMFK? And, please... Northern Maine Medical will not shut down due to windmills. This hospital charges some of the highest rates in the state, and takes extraordinary measures in order to avoid showing a profit.

And if there was ever the slightest chance of a college or institute moving to or opening in Mars Hill, I am sure this mythical operation will be glad to tie in its mission with green power.

Fort Kent will shoot itself in the foot by pushing out this development. Luckily, the town can bask in the economic boon provided by the Maine Winter Sports Center, the biathalon, and all those European tourists who fly in to Frenchville. (Oh, there goes the pain in my side again.)

I was visiting family in Mars Hill this past Sunday. Believe me when I say, YOU CAN HERE THE ANNOYING WHIR. Anyone taht can't is either deaf or has some really good ear plugs. And we were a good distance away.

Imperceptus, I gather if you had your real name you would not be so vocal. The good doctor is a good doctor, and a nice man. As for the wind mills. Go to Mars Hill, and knock on the door of a resident that has a visula of the turbine. Ask your questions, then go to the next and so on. And moosetopia, you always complain about Fort Kent, so my suggestion........move.

*I* always complain about Fort Kent? No, Jake, I see it for what it is. A small town that has both positive and negative aspects. I don't defend it blindly, ignoring its flaws just because it is my hometown. Last time I checked, we did live in a free country where one is allowed to speak their mind freely.

Move, you say? Have we reverted to the Archie Bunker "love it or leave it" mentality of the 70's? I think I'll stay since it is just as much as my hometown as it it yours.

BTW Jake. The optometrist called and he said your new pair of rose colored glasses were ready. You can pick them up anytime.

you must be a banker, because you seem to know who all the "rich" people are. Last time we had a back and forth it was about the "rich" people attempting preventing a McD's. And I do wear rose tinted lenses. Which of the optometrists am I supposed to pick up from?

And you must have a cleaning service.

Imperceptus,

I'm not quite sure what the value of someone's home has to do with the arguments regarding the proper setbacks for wind turbines.

Your line of personal attacks does not address the issues, but perhaps damages your credibility, whereas my record of service to this community - behind the scenes - as well as in the open, lobbying for proper playground surfaces, and creating and sponsoring the Rally In the Valley Mountain Bike day for area youths 2 years in a row - speaks for itself.

Did you bother to read the Op-Ed I linked to, above?

If you are a man of means, why not get a group together and build a transformer station, import nice clean, green Quebec hydro, and sell it into Northern Maine's grid?

You'd be doing the citizens of Aroostook a great service, and you could probably get even richer than you would putting up a few dozen turbines that may trash your neighbor's quality of life and real estate values (unless you're serious about keeping them miles away - which you are not). And you'd be doing a good deed - something everyone should do at least once during their earthly sojourn.

I do not believe I have ever met you - for surely I would recognize the soul who wields so clumsy and poisonous a pen. I will also comment that it takes no bravery or nobility to attack someone anonymously.

If you want a real, live debate, and you live in Fort Kent, I'm game. Give me a call, and we will set it up - audience and everything. And I will shake your hand when its over.

You got me moose. And I believe anyone, rich or poor can make a difference. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

According to the data on wind speed across the state mars hill and a few others inland have 'EXCELLENT' conditions for large scale wind production. If wind power is to be utilized it needs to be small,local independent prouducers, like youre local water and sewer dep.. Air lift of California makes a windmill that produces compressed air to power well pumps and air generators, storage tanks keep a reserve when the wind isn't blowing, a small munisapality indepent of the 'Grid' would be more realistic than a large national or multinational wind farm to bail out the failing system that is in place today, If everyone was selfsuffent and could produce everything on theirown we wouldnt need for anaything, two choices: work twords independance or stay the course twords dependance

P.S. localize everything as mutch as humanly possable, less wasted energy all around, buy local, spend local, and youre local ecconamy grows, invest in out of town, county, state or country. guess where youre investment grows. First wind in the valley, next Wallmart to help the small buisness

This poisonous and clumsy pen still has some ink in it after all. Dear Doctor, I hope you do not presume that you are the only one with advanced degrees who is participating in this dialogue?

I read your Op-Ed when it was published, and I re-read it before taking up my venenifer calamus. I was bemused then, and am now merely saddened, by the inanity of your little article. Canada already is the solution to Northern Maine's power needs. Currently, the power grid is interlinked to New Brunswick, not to the rest of Maine and the United States. Your power comes from Quebec hydro dams, Point Lepreau nuclear, and other sources, including the Mars Hill windmills. Should you desire greater access to Quebec's hydro power, the best way would be to build new connections to New England. New England's grid is connected to up-state New York, which is where Quebec has its main power connections to the States.

Besides, haven't you heard? We are against hydro power as well. Alas the poor spawning fish! Oh woe the Furbish's lousewort! Here in Maine we have been ripping out hydro power generation dams. Would you have us salve our conscience by exporting these concrete blights to the Quebecois?

You assume I am rich; let me assure you I am not. My wife and I make a fraction of what you do annually. I point out your wealth and the value of your home as a sign that you are not likely to care about the increased property tax revenue the town would receive from the development, since you can surely afford your taxes. I also hope others see the hypocrisy of a rich man seeking special tax breaks on his home. Perhaps others will also enjoy the irony of a man who works for a large tax-exempt institution arguing against a business that will actually pay taxes.

Your group rails against the rich property owners who will benefit from the windmills. Who are you kidding? You are the rich property owner. The people who own the woodlands and farmlands in Fort Kent are not rich. They work to eke out a living from these lands. Not only do they pay property taxes on the land, but on every single chainsaw, skidder, tractor, and office chair. These are their means of production, subject to annual taxes. To be fair, we should tax your medical degree. It is, after all, your means of production. And now, these landowners, who actually pay the bulk of the taxes that runs the town, are anathema, merely because they have entertained the possibility of gaining rent from windmills? I am astounded by the gall of the people who seek to dictate how one is to develop his own land, while demanding the right to hunt, fish, snowmobile, hike, and ride ATV on it!

The debate, I believe, is moot anyway. I have it on good authority that First Wind will not pursue the Fort Kent sites. They have no desire to go where they aren't wanted when other towns are eager for development. As for me, and the landowners I know, we will invest in "No Trespassing" signs. Hopefully the ever-expanding doleist class in town will enjoy their unsullied ridgelines.