Leola R. Ballweber's Posts - Citizens' Task Force on Wind Power - Maine2024-03-29T15:07:50ZLeola R. Ballweberhttps://www.windtaskforce.org/profile/LeolaRBallweberhttps://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3502825125?profile=RESIZE_48X48https://www.windtaskforce.org/profiles/blog/feed?user=1fgb49xjjl349&xn_auth=noMy Testimony on the BEP 42 dB(a)tag:www.windtaskforce.org,2012-02-09:4401701:BlogPost:362582012-02-09T18:57:44.000ZLeola R. Ballweberhttps://www.windtaskforce.org/profile/LeolaRBallweber
<p align="center"><b>Woodstock</b> <b>Site Plan Review</b></p>
<p>Page 15 , Number 18</p>
<p>Noise: the proposed development shall not raise noise levels to the extent that abutting and/or nearby residents are adversely affect.</p>
<p>A) The maximum permissible sound pressure level of any continuous, regular or frequent or an intermittent source of sound produced by any activity shall be limited by the time period and land use which it abuts listed below. Sound levels shall be measured at 4…</p>
<p align="center"><b>Woodstock</b> <b>Site Plan Review</b></p>
<p>Page 15 , Number 18</p>
<p>Noise: the proposed development shall not raise noise levels to the extent that abutting and/or nearby residents are adversely affect.</p>
<p>A) The maximum permissible sound pressure level of any continuous, regular or frequent or an intermittent source of sound produced by any activity shall be limited by the time period and land use which it abuts listed below. Sound levels shall be measured at 4 feet above the ground at the property boundary of the source.</p>
<p>Sound pressure level limits using the sound equivalent level of one hour (leq 60 measured in dB(a) scale)</p>
<p> 7:00 am to 10:00pm, residential 55 dB(a)</p>
<p>10:00pm to 7:00am residential 45 dB(a)</p>
<p>B) Noise shall be measured by a meter set on the A-weight response scale, fast response. The meter shall meet the American National Standards (ANSA SI-4-1961) American standard specification for general purpose sound meters.</p>
<p> </p>
<div><p> </p>
</div>
<p> </p>
<p><b>TESTIMONY OF LEOLA BALLWEBER February 8, 2012</b></p>
<p> </p>
<p>My name is Leola Ballweber, I live in Woodstock, Maine.The town of Woodstock Planning board used the DEP guide lines for sound, yet, approved a waiver to raise the sound levels.</p>
<p>The wind project was appealed at the town level, DEP level, which Warren Brown suggested a NRO for 3 turbines starting at 7pm and adding 3 more from 10pm till 7am, 6 of 10 turbines would be restricted during this time and then it was off to the BEP. After the Supreme Court case was dropped, only 20% chance in the citizen’s favor. Patriot Renewable petitioned for the NRO to be removed. My understanding is that it was granted and the NRO was removed.</p>
<p>What was learned was that the state does not have regulations in place to protect the citizens from the unique infra-sound projected by industrial wind turbines.</p>
<p>The science is there to prove it exists, yet it is the citizens who are left to protect themselves.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>(Leola Ballweber)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The wind industry does and will not admit that these machines on top of Maine’s mountains make noise.</p>
<p>The sound maps that are computer generated are flawed and incorrect in these projects.</p>
<p>Bayroot, LLC owns land that is part of the Spruce Mount Wind Project, leases were giving. As soon as the Spruce mountain wind project began construction, Bayroot, LLC began removing timber between abutting properties and the wind project. If, the abutters had taken some consolation in the filtering of sound through the trees, it was made clear, it was not to be. Irish Family Logging Company came in and literally stripped the land. They paid the fines for their actions and continued to strip the 1000’s of acres around the Spruce Mountain Wind Project.</p>
<p>It is clear that the wind company, land owners of the logging properties, walk hand in hand on these wind projects.</p>
<p>There is no consideration for the ECHO Effect from the surrounding ridges and sound traveling down into the valleys.</p>
<p>It has been made clear that this is not a time for emotions. It is clear that the distress felt by the victims of these projects will not be considered.</p>
<p>I present to you some facts from Woodstock:</p>
<p>There are over 90 abutting properties to the Spruce Mountain wind project. Most of those are seasonal residents. The figures that I am submitting to you are taken from the Woodstock Map/Lot Index dated Tuesday, January 2008. I checked with the town manager and he assured me that this was the latest, up to date version.</p>
<p>Concord Pond Area-</p>
<ul>
<li>75 properties,</li>
<li>Towns value for buildings and land, $4,316,090.</li>
<li>1 local household considered year round resident of Woodstock</li>
</ul>
<p>Shagg Pond Area-</p>
<ul>
<li>67 properties,</li>
<li>Towns value for buildings and land $4,507,390.</li>
<li>3 local households considered year round residents of Woodstock</li>
</ul>
<p>Cushman and Perkins Valley Road-</p>
<ul>
<li>54 properties,</li>
</ul>
<p>Town’s value for buildings and land, $$3,241,030.</p>
<ul>
<li>29 residents considered year round residents of Woodstock.</li>
</ul>
<p>The Combined total,</p>
<ul>
<li>properties within 1.5 miles, 196</li>
<li>property values to the town- $12,064,510.00</li>
<li>The number of residential property owners considered year round residents- 33</li>
</ul>
<p> It is clear that the properties involved are mostly seasonal owners who pay taxes and buy groceries when they come to Woodstock. They may be considered seasonal citizens, yet, spend summers, go skiing, snowmobiling or just get away from their busy lives on weekends, year round. They have no vote at town meetings and could not participate in the decision of this wind</p>
<p>(Leola Ballweber)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>project coming to their neighbor. Now they live with the blade flicker and the Whooosh Whooosh of industrial wind turbines. The wind turbines came to them and they are given a short list of alternatives in dealing with the noise. Please consider the impact this will have on the other small towns, who have or will have wind projects come to their town. Our small townships are now being put in the position no matter what they decide, for or against a wind ordinance; they can expect challenges from both sides of the issue. Law suits are costly, timely and can at times be indecisive in the outcome. (Moot) When the industrial wind projects are built in Canton, Carthage, Dixfield, Peru, Sumner and phase two of The Spruce Mountain Wind Project is put into motion, these figures, one town at a time, will add up.</p>
<p>I believe that the Maine Legislature put us in this position of Fight or Flee and I believe the legislation should send a strong message to the wind industry. It is time for educating yourselves on the dangers of infra sound and making regulations that protect the citizens of Maine. Distance is the only control factor when dealing with this industry. I believe that the BEP’s intents are good, but feel that the 42 dB(a) is still too high, yet, it is a beginning.</p>
<p>Industrial wind turbines have a unique sound, they are a unique industry and the citizens of Maine deserve to be protected to the fullest from industrial wind’s noise pollution. I have been following the PUC with First Wind and see a pattern with the challenge to ethics, along with morals. Business is business and we should all go by the same rules, with the same penalties. They say that Enron is dead, yet, we are still dealing with the ghost of Enron,</p>
<p>There are other alternatives to choose from and Maine is already 30% renewable energy. Remove the cap on hydro and let the waters run. In these economic times, we should be consolidating, rather than wasting federal dollars on rich man’s projects. The down fall is that until someone tells the rich guy, he can’t walk all over the little guy, there will be casualties. The seasonal residents, tax payers and abutters to the Spruce Mountain Wind project are caught in the cross fire of this warring power for dominance on Maine’s mountains.</p>
<p>Thank-you, for the time. and the opportunity to speak today.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Sincerely;</p>
<p> Thank-you C. M. for your assistance in formatting.</p>Logging Ain't What It Use To Betag:www.windtaskforce.org,2011-05-13:4401701:BlogPost:162122011-05-13T13:08:54.000ZLeola R. Ballweberhttps://www.windtaskforce.org/profile/LeolaRBallweber
<p>On Monday night, I took my last college class and was able to draw a sigh of relief. It was so good to get it finished and concentrate on our Supreme Court Appeal for Spruce Mountain in Woodstock, Maine. For those who are not aware, here in Woodstock we have been working hard to get safe distance and sound concerns dealt with by the DEP and BEP. Both departments have disappointed us by allowing no hearings so that we could counter the projects estimations on their reports on sound, ect.…</p>
<p>On Monday night, I took my last college class and was able to draw a sigh of relief. It was so good to get it finished and concentrate on our Supreme Court Appeal for Spruce Mountain in Woodstock, Maine. For those who are not aware, here in Woodstock we have been working hard to get safe distance and sound concerns dealt with by the DEP and BEP. Both departments have disappointed us by allowing no hearings so that we could counter the projects estimations on their reports on sound, ect. Friends of Spruce Mountain, Inc. is dealing with the intrusion on Shagg Pond, Concord Pond, Little Concord Pond, Abbott Pond, Cushman Road and all residents that could and would be affected by the building of this project.</p>
<p>As it stands right now, we will be going to the Supreme Court and could use all the help we can get. We are planning a huge yard sale in the near future and invite you to "Come On Over" and check it out. I will post more information at a later date. Our main concern is that 6 of the 10 turbines will have to be reduce in production at night to meet the 45 dba sound reqirements. That was imposed on the project by the DEP sound experts. We are aware that at 35 dba humans are sensative to wind turbine noise. Who will monitor the sound and enforce the sound levels? The key is that will it be enforced and by Who? Will it just be fines paid for violations or literal enforcement to protect the people? How can a project sustain itself, when it can't run at full capacity?</p>
<p>Now, that is said, and here comes the fun. Tuesday morning, the Irish Logging Company, out of Peru, Maine, moved in on my side of the mountain. I listened to the buzz of the tree cutter all day. The next morning , bright and early, 6 am to be precise, it started up again. It will be 4 days now of the constant hum of machinery here in the valley. I much prefer the sound of the chain saw and the idol sound between cuttings, then to the constant sound of machinery. There are no breaks through the day. Just constant buzzing, tree de-limber, log trucks in and out. Things have definitely change in the logging world.</p>
<p>My summer will be filled with noise of machines. I won't be surprised if my garden has a tilt to it. All the plants growing away from the noise on the mountain. I understand that foresting needs to be done, but I am like that garden plant. My home is my roots and I don't or can't travel to far from my home. I live in the country to have the peace and quiet, yet, I never expected the noise to come to me. Reality, logging is noisy,and will go away. Wind turbines will not go away and will be a continual invasion of my peaceful home. I hope that you can understand the importance of my life in this valley. I am the 4th generation and want this to be passed down to the 5th generation, Peace and harmony should be a part of everyone's life. It is that quiet spot at the end of a hectic day that brings me back to my roots and sanity.</p>
<p>I invite you to see the process that this valley is under, because if something isn't done, this state will become a waste land of mountain tops covered in wind turbines and towers. Please, stand up and protect the ways of Maine and its People.</p>There Comes a Day of Doubttag:www.windtaskforce.org,2011-03-04:4401701:BlogPost:95182011-03-04T15:08:59.000ZLeola R. Ballweberhttps://www.windtaskforce.org/profile/LeolaRBallweber
<p> The news and verification that Bayroot, LLC, is being powered by Yale University Investments, has changed the aspect of our fight. Or has it? For some it is the affirmation of what was suspected and in others it will be like a slap in the face. How can you fight something so big?</p>
<p> When you consider what their investment is taking away from the Native people of Maine and the seasonal people, it will be a greater loss to the people then to some large group…</p>
<p> The news and verification that Bayroot, LLC, is being powered by Yale University Investments, has changed the aspect of our fight. Or has it? For some it is the affirmation of what was suspected and in others it will be like a slap in the face. How can you fight something so big?</p>
<p> When you consider what their investment is taking away from the Native people of Maine and the seasonal people, it will be a greater loss to the people then to some large group that is only looking at an investment that is sucking up millions, possibly billions of dollars across the United States. Instead of our tax payer money going to preserve our way of life, the investors of Yale are buying land cheap, or leasing it, destroying the trees that make oxygen, breaking up our eco-systems, and destroying our quality of life, just for the almighty dollar. Even our nature conservancy’s are willing to suck up the grant money and sacrifice our mountains and our quality of life.</p>
<p> In these times of sacrifice and economic depression, yes, I said;” depression”, the poorer people of Maine took on the challenge for justice and have been fighting for that justice. We have sacrificed our retirements, our pay and our hard earned dollar to see that this justice was followed through. Courts cost money and we of little of it have been put over a barrel to find and fight this money hound. Our protective agency’s have been bought off and paid off and manipulated to create a ducks in a row affect. We are still making waves, yet, some of you are wondering if we can win? We will never know unless we follow through and go to the end of this saga in the wind turbine invasion. It is time to group together and battle these projects one by one. Each court decision affects the next project and like dominoes we can knock down the projects one by one. Together we the people can and will win. Join me as we take on the money people. There has to be a scam and somewhere there is an illegal move that needs to be investigated and we the people have the access to research and make note of those legality’s. </p>
<p>Wind Warriors it is time to pull together as one unit and not project to project. We need to create a timeline, follow it and watch each possibility for invasion of wind turbines. Make ourselves available to educate the people and help townships create Ordinances to protect themselves. Now is the time to create and draw on our strength. We have the power and we will come forward and take on this challenge. In numbers, we have the power.</p>
<p>Leola R. Ballweber</p>
<p> </p>Request for financial Aidtag:www.windtaskforce.org,2011-02-27:4401701:BlogPost:93202011-02-27T19:43:18.000ZLeola R. Ballweberhttps://www.windtaskforce.org/profile/LeolaRBallweber
<p>Dear Friends and Family, </p>
<p> As the President of Friends of Spruce Mountain it falls upon my shoulders to inform you as where we stand with our Appeal.</p>
<p> The DEP, did not acknowledge our concerns about the Spruce Mountain Wind Project. I am convinced that LD2283 has left their hands tied and they cannot legally say no to these projects. They are working with what they have been given, which is not much thanks to Ex- Governor Baldacci’s task…</p>
<p>Dear Friends and Family, </p>
<p> As the President of Friends of Spruce Mountain it falls upon my shoulders to inform you as where we stand with our Appeal.</p>
<p> The DEP, did not acknowledge our concerns about the Spruce Mountain Wind Project. I am convinced that LD2283 has left their hands tied and they cannot legally say no to these projects. They are working with what they have been given, which is not much thanks to Ex- Governor Baldacci’s task force. This task force was made up of groups looking for Federal dollars and made sure that they, Nature Conservancy’s, Money Investors, and it was even suggested that the Spain Mafia has ties to all this wind turbine business. <b>No matter who is behind it, we need</b> <b>$10,000 to be able to take this situation to</b> <b>Superior Court</b><b>.</b> I need all of you to dig deep in your pockets or find someone who has deep pockets that is willing to donate for our court case. I cannot give any guarantees that we will win this case. I can only tell you that we are fighting to have LD2283 over- turned in Augusta <b>and by filing our case we will buy time to see that changes are made before this project gets started.</b> We have many Bills being put before the legislature and I believe it is a matter of time that, we will make the changes necessary to save our mountains of Maine. I sat in Superior Court for the Oakfield and Roxbury Appeal. There has not been a decision made on this, yet. We are awaiting the court’s decision. It will influence how this case is dealt with, that is if it goes that far. Rufus Brown, our Attorney, was notified that our project would be the first to go to the BEP. I was there for that meeting and so was our town manager. Vern, was/is very concerned about whether this project gets going. The BEP also came to the same conclusion: They have no power to change the laws at this time, but we will be going back to debate and petition for changes at the DEP and BEP level, concerning wind turbines, distances from people, ect. We can only try and reverse the damage that has been done by seeing that the laws are reversed in our favor. Our quality of life is being invaded by machines that will destroy our peace of mind and joy of life. We settled in these mountains to be spared of the hectic world of traffic noise, airplanes and city lights. Please find a way for us to save our community from the disaster this project brings to Woodstock. <b>Rufus Brown needs to file this Appeal by March 10, 2011.</b> I have held off telling him that we won’t be able to file. I believe in Miracles and right now we need a great big on. Reality says we won’t be able to challenge Patriot Renewables, yet, if we all pull together we can and will make this happen. Donations can be sent to our Secretary/Treasurer. You will find the information on our website;</p>
<p><b>Friendsofsprucemountain.com</b></p>Katahdin Experiencetag:www.windtaskforce.org,2011-02-27:4401701:BlogPost:88442011-02-27T18:33:16.000ZLeola R. Ballweberhttps://www.windtaskforce.org/profile/LeolaRBallweber
<p><span class="font-size-2" style="font-family: georgia,palatino;"> When I was 19 years old I was given the chance to go on a canoe</span> trip into the Maine Woods. At 19, I too had read Thoreau and was influenced by his words. The trip began floating down stream for two days. The third day, we spent pulling our canoes upstream, the 4th day, we spent 1/2 the day camped by a small dam and took turns jumping off the dam to bob up down below. It was exhilarating to fall through the water,…</p>
<p><span class="font-size-2" style="font-family: georgia,palatino;"> When I was 19 years old I was given the chance to go on a canoe</span> trip into the Maine Woods. At 19, I too had read Thoreau and was influenced by his words. The trip began floating down stream for two days. The third day, we spent pulling our canoes upstream, the 4th day, we spent 1/2 the day camped by a small dam and took turns jumping off the dam to bob up down below. It was exhilarating to fall through the water, be pushed down and then forced to the surface. It is an experience I will never forget and it introduced me to the power of water. Continual energy just waiting to be harnessed and used. The place we were at was known as Twin Ponds. At the time, all I knew was I was in the wilderness and it was a trip of a life time. The other 1/2 of the 4th day we paddled across the pond and camped. Our gear had been soaked by a summer shower and we needed to dry out. I will not forget the water in the adjoining canals that we traveled. 10 feet of water, crystal clear, fish so big and plentiful, moose at the edge of the ponds, and black bears at the dump in Katahdin Land.</p>
<p> Friday, we met a 1 ton truck and trailer and we loaded up and headed through some of the wildest roads I had ever seen. One lane, with grass so tall that we could reach out and pluck it, roads that looked like a car had never traveled them. The most impressive was the variety of wild flowers and how they were so beautiful. Some of those flowers I had never seen before and made it a point to look up after I returned home. When we reached our destination and put our boats back in the water, we traveled to an Island camp ground. It was at this boat dock, that I received my first introduction to Mt. Katahdin.</p>
<p> As we unloaded and prepared to strike out across the water, I could not help myself from being memorized by this huge white capped mountain. I had to ask some one what the name of this mountain was, because I had never seen it before. If you haven't guessed by now, it was the majestic Mt. Katahdin that I was experiencing. It stirred my soul to see it's majestic strength and its awe striking beauty. Even now my spirit stirs of that magnificent impression left in my mind and heart. As I paddled the canoe across this long lake, I kept looking up at this beautiful, majestic mountain and praised God for creating such natural beauty for me to experience. I wanted to remember that day for an eternity.</p>
<p> I would also like to share with you information about how I spent my summers. I had to work my way through private school and my summers were spent working at Camp Lawroweld in Weld, Maine. Mt. Blue State Park was at the far end of the lake and I spent my summers working on the water. I was a lifeguard and swimming teacher. I spent most of my days down on the water looking at the magnificent and unique mountains found there. Mt. Blue, Little Jackson,Big Jackson, Tumbledown, Blueberry, and the others that surround Webb Lake. At an early age the mountains became a part of me and I looked to them for strength. They remind me of the Higher Power that created them and how He leads us. It makes me cry inside that all these mountains are being used to create wind fields that are seen for over 50 miles. The Weld Area is being inundated with to many mountains being covered in wind turbines. We have to stop this destruction, These are God's Mountains and they were not put there for Man to destroy. Maine's mountains are a natural wonder that needs to be protected from destruction. These are the same mountains that people come to see and bring their tourist dollars to support Maine's economy. What will we have when the mountains are no more? We will end up with higher electric bills, no awe striking mountains to impress the people, no new industry because of the high electric and China will be burning our coal.</p>
<p> We have our own natural resources and as a Nation we should be using them. When did it become Maine's responsibility to make sure there was enough electric going to Southern New England and why is Maine allowing out of state people to control what Mainer's pay for electric? I say, if the southern part of New England wants more power, then Maine has a right to make them pay for the upgrades to lines and to reduce our electric bills. Why should we be giving up our natural resources for their metal machines?</p>Seven Judges, decisions to maketag:www.windtaskforce.org,2011-01-13:4401701:BlogPost:63082011-01-13T02:45:07.000ZLeola R. Ballweberhttps://www.windtaskforce.org/profile/LeolaRBallweber
<p>Rufus brown did an excellent representation to the court. He was able to combined both the Oakfield and Roxbury cases as one. Noise is the major issue and the fact that the DEP will not give an open hearing concerning the projects and sound. If there was a hearing, then Rufus would be able to ask the "wind specialist" to prove their conclusions and to explain how they made there findings on the issues involved.</p>
<p>One justice even asked why the DEP didn't use this opportunity to allow a…</p>
<p>Rufus brown did an excellent representation to the court. He was able to combined both the Oakfield and Roxbury cases as one. Noise is the major issue and the fact that the DEP will not give an open hearing concerning the projects and sound. If there was a hearing, then Rufus would be able to ask the "wind specialist" to prove their conclusions and to explain how they made there findings on the issues involved.</p>
<p>One justice even asked why the DEP didn't use this opportunity to allow a hearing and dispel the issue at hand. the explanation given was shallow in the least. It seems that it wasn't important enough to consider taking time to clear the issue on sound. And what about these "vibrations" of sound? How did you conclude that they were not hazardous to human health? Ms. Brown, you are becoming a regular to our court room.</p>
<p>Oh, the seeds we sow. When they sprout, we see that it is not wheat, but hay seed that we have been sold. Time will take it's course and the truth will prevail.</p>Update on Woodstock, Mainetag:www.windtaskforce.org,2010-11-13:4401701:BlogPost:58392010-11-13T22:55:38.000ZLeola R. Ballweberhttps://www.windtaskforce.org/profile/LeolaRBallweber
<font size="4">The Friends of Spruce Mountain have been busy with gathering funds and helping Rufus Brown with our appeal to the DEP. Basically, the DEP dis-regarded our concerns and we will be headed to the BEP. When 6 of 11 wind turbines are required to be restricted for sound at night by the DEP itself, we know that we, the people of the valleys are not going to be getting any sleep at night. I don't like myself when I get that way. I can get very grumpy. So to make sure that we the people…</font>
<font size="4">The Friends of Spruce Mountain have been busy with gathering funds and helping Rufus Brown with our appeal to the DEP. Basically, the DEP dis-regarded our concerns and we will be headed to the BEP. When 6 of 11 wind turbines are required to be restricted for sound at night by the DEP itself, we know that we, the people of the valleys are not going to be getting any sleep at night. I don't like myself when I get that way. I can get very grumpy. So to make sure that we the people don't have to put up with this "noise problem", we plan on fighting it all the way to Supreme Court.<br/>We are holding fast and going forward to make the point that the "C" db is a very important issue and needs to be acknowledged and reviewed. Rufus has put a very strong case together and I am very confident we will win. It's time that the state realize that the evidence is there to support the health affects from industrial wind turbines. The closest building is 2200 ft. away from the turbines and at the angle that the turbines are put in, many homes are going to be affected by not 1 turbine, but three.<br/>Friends of Spruce Mountain have been active in the decision of the planning board and their first refusal to let the abutting property owners file an appeal against the site plan approval. It all hinged on the definition of meeting the requirements of the planning board. Patriot Renewables approval was based on DEP approval. (pending approval). Planning board wanted to use the date the vote was made in Nov.2009, rather then Oct. 2010 DEP issuance of permit and after meeting with them, discussing the confusion, we were given the right to appeal the sound waiver that Patriot Renewables was given by the planning board. The planning board gave a 5 dba waiver, so that it went from 50 dba to 55 dba during the day. So glad we got that cleared up. The planning board did decide to change the wording so that it was a final approval or a rejected project. We have also brought up and discussed "conflict of interest" directly and indirectly. That is being defined and checked on.Some good is coming out of all this process. I have to give the planning board credit for working with us because there are some towns that the board won't do that.<br/>Right now, there are two appeals going on; one at the town of Woodstock's Appeal Board and with Rufus at the DEP's decision. I am so proud of the people that have stepped up in the community and across Maine to help us do this battle. I have made some wonderful friends and got to know my neighbors better. This is not an easy task, fighting wind, but it has to be done to protect the people from the dangerous unheard sound. The vibration that interferes with children's balance and development, the sleep deprivation to the adults and the heart palpultations to those who may have heart conditions. We are not guinea pigs in a lab and we shouldn't be treated that way by the DEP.<br/>I want to send a special thanks out to Denise Hall for all her hard work. If she hadn't jumped on board we really wouldn't have a Friends of Spruce Mountain. She is the one who put together our website, contacted people, answered e-mails and kept me on task. She has done a fantastic job. I also want to thank Vikki Holme's for being there for us.<br/>Please continue to support us as we break our way to the courts. I pray that the other appeals will be turned against wind and in the favor of the people. Keep up the good fight.Leola<br/><br/></font>Town of Woodstock, Selectmen get introduced to Moratorium Petition 3/16/10tag:www.windtaskforce.org,2010-03-17:4401701:BlogPost:26162010-03-17T03:00:00.000ZLeola R. Ballweberhttps://www.windtaskforce.org/profile/LeolaRBallweber
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><font size="4">I want to thank all of you out there that have supported me through this first step towards a moratorium. The people of Woodstock know of the dangers that these wind turbines have and realize that there should be at least a one mile distance from all abutting property,s. Once they realize that their building code that was revised March, 2009, to deal with wind turbines, is very dangerous for distance, they will want to have that corrected for the…</font></span>
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><font size="4">I want to thank all of you out there that have supported me through this first step towards a moratorium. The people of Woodstock know of the dangers that these wind turbines have and realize that there should be at least a one mile distance from all abutting property,s. Once they realize that their building code that was revised March, 2009, to deal with wind turbines, is very dangerous for distance, they will want to have that corrected for the safety of the towns people. Height plus 10% is way to close. That is what is in the building permit. The noise level is at 55db"A" and there is a conflict with the building ordinance that allows 70 db"A" for industrial noise. The state only allows 55 db"A" so this will need to be addressed and corrected. <br/> I am also concerned over the fact that statements have been made to me that a selectman has been discussing the wind turbines out side of the selectman meetings. Definitely a conflict of interest and out of line for a selectman. I won't point fingers, but you know who you are. Your actions are being watched and people will know who is doing what, where, when and how. Just a fair warning. If you don't want to play fair, then fair is fair.<br/> I am eager to see the out come of this vote. The select men and planning board are in for a big surprise. When the people come out to let them know they are not pleased with the actions that have been taken behind their backs, they will make sure that there is a public vote and that they have a say in how this town proceeds into the future. Why would we destroy a mountain or two for monster wind turbines, blinking lights, day and night, noise that makes you sick, scaring away our wild life, and giving up our peaceful nights sitting on the porch looking at the stars. We won't give this up for some company, who wants to suck up our Federal money, just to put in their pockets. They are being smart about it. (LLC) out of Massachusetts, creating a (LLC) in Maine, which leaves them saying;" YOU CAN'T TOUCH ME." We, the people of Maine are smarter then that. We have your number and your time is running out in Woodstock. You might want to pack your bags and go back to where you came from. Oh, by the way, Why don't you stop picking on Carthage. I don't like "BULLY'S".<br/></font></span>NATIONAL NEWS FINALLY TALKS ABOUT WIND TURBINEStag:www.windtaskforce.org,2010-02-10:4401701:BlogPost:16202010-02-10T12:39:26.000ZLeola R. Ballweberhttps://www.windtaskforce.org/profile/LeolaRBallweber
<font size="5"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><font size="4">Those of you that watch channel 8 on T.V. must have seen the short piece on how the wind turbines are being made in China and the ones manufactured in the United States are not being bought by all these money hungry companys that are out for the federal incentive money. They showed how big these wind turbines are and how the incentive program was set up to get the American wind companys going and…</font></span></span></font>
<font size="5"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><font size="4">Those of you that watch channel 8 on T.V. must have seen the short piece on how the wind turbines are being made in China and the ones manufactured in the United States are not being bought by all these money hungry companys that are out for the federal incentive money. They showed how big these wind turbines are and how the incentive program was set up to get the American wind companys going and give work to our people. It seems it backfired and now China is getting all the work. It is good to see that some one on that "Big Hill in Washington,D.C." is seeing the picture about these wind turbines. I believe that by not allowing the companys to build we are bouycotting to save our jobs in the United States. We are sending a message that we want our nation to prosper and it's time we do business in the United States and take care of our own. Everybody keep the faith and tell the people what we are really all about. Tooshay wind turbines----take that.....<br/>Leola R. Ballweber<br/></font></span></span></font>Woodstock, Maine Will Not Go Down With Out A Fighttag:www.windtaskforce.org,2010-02-04:4401701:BlogPost:15272010-02-04T19:48:50.000ZLeola R. Ballweberhttps://www.windtaskforce.org/profile/LeolaRBallweber
The Township of Woodstock, Maine and Patriot Renewables, Quincy, Massachusetts have been working together for the past 2 years to create the Spruce Mountain Wind Project. This project would include 9-11 G.E. wind turbines. If they use the G.E. 1.5, they plan on installing 11 turbines or the G.E. 2.0, the number would be 9 turbines. When Patriot Renewables made their presentation to the public, November, 2009, most of us there had received a registered letter and was curious as to what this was…
The Township of Woodstock, Maine and Patriot Renewables, Quincy, Massachusetts have been working together for the past 2 years to create the Spruce Mountain Wind Project. This project would include 9-11 G.E. wind turbines. If they use the G.E. 1.5, they plan on installing 11 turbines or the G.E. 2.0, the number would be 9 turbines. When Patriot Renewables made their presentation to the public, November, 2009, most of us there had received a registered letter and was curious as to what this was all about. I soon found out that The Planning Board all voted for this project and that the public didn't have any vote on it.<br />
Since November, I have spent my time digging and peeling this project apart. The Town only addresses wind turbines in their Building Permit. It allows them to be built as follows, the highth of the tower plus 10%. That allows wind turbines to be built as close as 510 feet from a residence. The other part basically addresses how they will be taxed.<br />
The D.E.P. is now looking at the Spruce Mountain Project and there has been no request to do a "RUSH" on this permit. It will take 6 months for the decision on the permit. In the mean time people need to get in touch with the D.E.P. and share their concerns.<br />
Will the wells be filled with arsenic?<br />
Will our wells colapse from the blasting?<br />
What if the foundation of my home is cracked by the blasting?<br />
Do I have any legal recourse?<br />
What if the noise is so bad that I can't live in my home any more?<br />
Where did all the animals go?<br />
<br />
The Township of Woodstock is allowing a noise level of 55 "A"decibels. That means that the "C"decibals will be at a dangerously high level and people will be affected by it. I am not ready to leave my home and as the colonist did in the new America I am and will stand and face this enemy. This company doesn't seem to play fair, but I plan on telling them the truth so that the companies true colors will be showing. It will be the company that will create their own down fall, because the people don't like to be lied too. I am working for a 180 day moratorium to go on the Town Meeting Roster on March 29, 2010. Come join me in Woodstock, Maine, and SAVE SPRUCE MOUNTAIN. BY; LEOLA R. BALLWEBER