Milton’s proposal to construct a wind turbine on town own land leased to Quarry Hills, the operators of the Granite Link golf course, is continuing to meet with opposition. Most recently the Quincy City Council unanimously passed a resolution, which will be sent to the Milton Selectmen, objecting to the construction of the turbine. But that’s not all.Quincy council member Brian Palmucci stated, “I can not sit idly by while the town of Milton, without any consultation with the city of Quincy, essentially drops a 500-foot turbine on our border. At the very least, the residents I represent deserve an opportunity to be heard on this matter.” (You can find Patriot Ledger coverage of the council vote here and Boston.com coverage here.)

The issues that he cited; noise pollution, detrimental flicker effects, and a visual disruption to golfers, have all been voiced by Quarry Hills Associates. QHA is presently suing the town to prevent construction.

These concerns are also echoed in a bill that was introduced to the stated legislature on January 20th by Majority Leader Roland Mariano, a state representative from Quincy. The bill is co-petitioned by Representatives Tackey Chan and Bruce Ayers. They are also both from Quincy.

The bill was referred to the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, utilities, and Energy on 2/16.

Mariano believes the current setback is insufficient. The bill states:

The construction, maintenance or operation of a wind turbine which is closer than 3,000 feet to the golf course and facilities, would disrupt and disturb the use of the golf course and facilities, for the uses enumerated at Section One of this act. Such disruption and disturbance would result from mechanical and aerodynamic sound and vibration, visual distraction resulting from rotor movement and shadow effects, and impairment of views of the Blue Hills Reservation.

However, the bill continues with more restrictive language that prevents construction of any turbine regardless of any length of setback. It reads:

No city or town shall be permitted to make a taking of any portion of the Quarry Hills leasehold for the purpose of constructing, maintaining, accessing or operating a wind turbine, regardless of the location of said wind turbine, during the term or any extension term of either of the municipal leases entered into between Quarry Hills and the City of Quincy and the Town of Milton.

You can find the full text of the bill here.