Property values could drop if windmills rise

The group fighting Shear Wind’s Glen Dhu turbine project says property values could drop in the area if the development goes ahead.

Susan Overmyer, media relations for the Eco Awareness Society, said several recent studies show home values could deteriorate by “20 to 30 per cent” if turbines are built in the proposed area near Baileys Brook.

“These turbines are 40 storeys tall, and they’ll create a loud, deep noise,” said Overmyer. “Recently, one gentleman in the area was trying to sell his home, and the buyer passed when he found out there would be turbines built in the area. It will affect our quality of life, and mark a significant change to the community.”

One study – of people living near the Mars Hill Wind Turbine Project – presented to the Maine Medical Association in March showed that 100 per cent of respondents in the study felt quality of life was affected and 100 per cent considered moving. The study further concluded that 73 per cent said they could not afford to move and 90 per cent said a recent professional appraisal showed loss of home value made it impossible to move away.

The society admits that reaction to their protest of the site is mixed in the community. Still, they insist the turbines won’t be an environmental cure-all, and could actually have negative repercussions on the surrounding habitat.

For instance – the EAS is concerned that these turbines will be directly in the flight path of a slowly increasing eagle population, and fears they will diminish the population due to accidents.

“We’re very concerned about losing our eagles, and clearing the forest in that area is robbing us of our best carbon capture system – trees,” said Overmyer. “On top of that, there’s an abundant bear population here, and they’d be moving closer to our homes when they are displaced.”

The project could mean temporary jobs for the area, with a total of 75-100 employees needed for construction and clearing of the site. After that, Overmyer only expects less than a dozen employees stationed at the facility, and those would likely be skilled workers brought from out-of-county.

Overmyer said recent information handed out by Shear Wind has also been confusing – it says only one turbine is to be built, rather than the 30 originally proposed.

“I’m not sure if that means they’ll get started and build the rest later, because one doesn’t make much sense,” Overmyer said.