Wind turbine will bring wide benefits to North Smithfield

We are writing to correct several misconceptions presented by (Valley Breeze Publisher) Tom Ward and local newspapers on the wind turbine at Dowling Village. While we realize the project is complicated, it is the responsibility of journalists and publishers to do their homework and present the actual facts.

* First, the project will help conserve 40 acres of land, which would be jointly owned by the North Smithfield Land Trust and the town of North Smithfield. The $400,000 DEM Open Space grant reported by both The Valley Breeze and The Call is a grant to the North Smithfield Land Trust. The grant, however, requires a match of at least 50 percent, which, if the North Smithfield Town Council approves, would come from the town's already approved open space bond.

* Second, the town would separately own the 2.5 acres of land for the wind turbine. The town benefits by being the first town in northern Rhode Island to have a wind turbine, by its commitment to renewable energy, and by the potential tourism value of having the tallest structure in Rhode Island.

* Third, creative financing worked out by the parties alleviates any debt burden to the taxpayer. The reported $40,000 provided to the town annually for the next 20 years by Bucci Development, LLC and passed through by RAM Investments for the wind turbine will help ensure that the town's debt service on the open space bond is fully paid. The $40,000 per year plus significant additional tax revenue from the project would more than pay off the debt for the entire 42.5 acres. If approved, taxpayers will pay nothing for purchase of the 42.5 acres. Mr. Ward should have done his homework instead of rushing to judgment.

* Fourth, conserving this land benefits both North Smithfield and Woonsocket residents because it helps protect our drinking water. Part of the land to be conserved is in North Smithfield's Groundwater Recharge Area, classified GAA, or the purest water. In addition, part of the land is included in Woonsocket's Surface Water Protection area for its drinking water reservoirs, relied upon by 50,000 Woonsocket residents and many North Smithfield residents. Note that this watershed (the Crookfall Brook watershed) is already above the 10 percent impervious cover level considered safe for water quality. (URI, 2003). URI's Lorraine Joubert notes, "While this watershed is currently rated at 'moderate' risk of contamination, this increases to a 'high risk' with future development." (letter to Paul Dubuis, North Smithfield Conservation Commission, April 26, 2005).

* Fifth, conserving this land benefits both North Smithfield and Woonsocket residents by providing walking trails and other passive recreational opportunities. The 2006 North Smithfield Comprehensive Plan includes Booth Pond as one of the top 10 open space/conservancy areas to be protected. Woonsocket has already protected its portion of Booth Pond with the 92 acre conservation area. The R.I. Natural Heritage Program cites this area for special attention, due to the diverse woodlands, ponds, streams and wetlands within this urbanized area. As biologist Virginia Brown writes (letter to North Smithfield Town Planner, July 31, 2005), "The significance of Booth Pond as a natural resource in the Providence metropolitan area and indeed in all of Rhode Island cannot be overstated."

We urge all North Smithfield residents to support this unique opportunity to provide open space for our families, to protect our drinking water, and to generate renewable energy. With this wind turbine proposal, North Smithfield is developing an important new model for conservation land protection.

Paulette Hamilton, North Smithfield Town Administrator

Ruth Pacheco, President, North Smithfield Land Trust

Albert Brien, Manager, RAM Investments, LLC

Robert Ericson, North Smithfield Town Planner

Publisher Tom Ward responds: With all due respect to the writers, many of whom I hold in high regard, my column should have been clear to readers as to:

A) my wonderment as to how a structure so tall was drawing yawns from the community and;

B) how a $40,000 annual payment to the town from developers seemed a pittance to me.

I'm not opposed to the project or wind power. I still wonder why nobody seems to care about something so tall. I know full well groundwater here would be more protected by 40 acres of open space and not asphalt. I never addressed that issue in my column. The benefit is obvious.

I'm pleased to learn that there will be "$40,000 per year plus significant additional tax revenue from the project." That's good news. I stand corrected. That said, residents should insist on a more precise number on what that benefit is.

I'm all for passive open space, but it might stay "passive" only if communities spend more on police (sigh...). I have 80 acres of passive recreational open space in my Cumberland backyard (it's called Long Brook) and almost nobody walks there for fear of being run over by ATVs illegally flying to and fro. Better luck to the North Smithfield and Woonsocket police if future ATV riders buzz between different jurisdictions at Booth Pond.

Finally, I cannot let the following pass without comment: "The town benefits by being the first town in northern Rhode Island to have a wind turbine." Really? Why?

And also benefit "by the potential tourism value of having the tallest structure in Rhode Island."

From my perspective, even for wind turbine proponents, that's one hell of a spin.

- Tom Ward