Turbine flicker, noise at center of Kingston debate

KINGSTON, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) – The debate about the noise and flicker caused by five wind turbines in Kingston continues.

"We can't live like this. We need help. This is torture. We are suffering," said Doreen Reilly, of Kingston.

Reilly has lived at her home on Leland Road for 20 years. In May of 2012 the 480 foot turbine was put up about 300 yards from her house.

"You can't read a book. You can't just sit and have a conversation," said Reilly. "The noise takes over your home. The flicker takes over your home."

Reilly said the blades of the turbine creates a strobe effect that makes her family sick and the sound it makes has caused sleeping problems.

"There are between 40 and 50 complaints on file in the office and we have forwarded all of those complaints to DEP," said Joe Casna, chair of the Kingston select board and board of health.

Kingston Wind Independence, the owner of one of the turbines, said it would evaluate the situation further after the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center conducts a study. Casna said the study has been delayed weeks while the scope of the evaluation and cost are drafted.

Massachusetts Clean Energy Center released a statement regarding the timeline of the project on Wednesday.

"The timeline of a draft project scope was extended from late January to mid-February because of the volume of public comment that came in, which required an extra week to review submitted comments. Also, the proposed budget from the testing contractor was too high and MassCEC is in negotiations to determine a more reasonable price. MassCEC is dedicated to providing a cost-effective process that includes input from the public to ensure that the town of Kingston has the information it needs to make an informed decision regarding its wind turbines."

There are four other turbines in Kingston. Three are privately-owned while the other is owned by the MBTA.

"Everybody makes promises, but I feel, my personal opinion is, I am in the same position I was back in May. Nobody is helping us," said Reilly.

Wind Wise Massachusetts said Kingston is just one of 21 communities battling with local governments over turbine-related issues.

"The state put the carts before the horse when it came to assuring that there were proper protective measures and bylaws in place," said Joanne Levesque, of Wind Wise. "Now they're coming to find out that there are very serious adverse impacts to residents who live nearby."

In May 2012, a wind turbine in Falmouth was ordered to be shut down because it was operating at unacceptable noise levels, according to the Department of Environmental Protection.

Residents there are set to vote in April on measures to dismantle the two town-owned turbines.

Gov. Deval Patrick had made wind power development a central part of his energy policy.

A number of other state wind turbine projects have been met with resistance.

Cox Media Group