Oakfield Residents To Vote On Wind Regulations

OAKFIELD (NEWS CENTER) -- The town of Oakfield is one step closer to becoming the first Maine community to regulate wind power development.

Wednesday night all five selectmen voted in favor of the 45-page report, which lays the foundation for the project.

Now it goes to Oakfield residents who will take it up at a town meeting later this month.

Oakfield decided to take this issue up after First Wind, a Massachusetts based wind developer, set its sights on Oakfield for an industrial wind project.

First Wind wants to build a 34 turbine wind project in Oakfield on a ridgeline east of Pleasant Lake in the Oakfield Hills.

First Wind is still waiting for approval from the state.

But, in the meantime Oakfield has been drafting its own set of guidelines. The regulations deal with setbacks, and noise levels, including low frequency noise that is commonly associated with wind turbines.

The town hired a noise control engineer to craft the guidelines. There are also requirements that first wind monitor noise levels after construction and fix any problems arising from noise complaints.

Town officials say they wanted to have their own regulations so that they didn't run into the same problems that occured in Mars Hill.

Town residents have already voted to give first wind a tax break to build its wind project.

First Wind is providing a number of incentives to the town. Each year round resident gets an annual check of between $800 and $1000 dollars. And First Wind is also setting up a scholarship fund.

Town officials say revenues from the development will also pay for road repairs and a new fire station.

Town residents will vote on the regulations at a town meeting on September 28th.