Draft Letter from Select Board on H4687

The Select Board voted unanimously Wednesday night to send the following letter.

To: State Senator Stanley Rosenberg
State Representative Dennis Guyer
State Representative Stephen Kulik
State House, Boston, MA
From: Select Board, Town of Ashfield
Re: H.4687 Wind Energy Siting Reform Act

Dear Senator Rosenberg and Representatives Guyer and Kulik:

Citizens in our town have spoken with the Board regarding H.4687. Some have expressed opposition, others support.

When it comes to H.4687, the Board has two major concerns:

1.) The apparent expedited and top down controlled procedures established by the Act and how it threatens or otherwise impacts local control through the ordinary use of municipal bodies to effect a well reasoned and equitable response to wind energy siting issues;
2.) The rushed manner by which this Act was presented to and passed by the Senate and presented to the House as demonstrated by the lack of hearings before appropriate committees and the absence of any such hearings in Western Massachusetts, the area of the state in which it can be reasonably anticipated that the preponderance of sitings will occur.

So that we may stay abreast of this rapidly developing issue, the Board would appreciate a response regarding our concerns as well as timely updates regarding the procedural progress of the Act.

Sincerely,

R. Dave DeHerdt,
Chair, Ashfield Select Board