Wind energy by-law ... talks to be continued

Town Council

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Council Chambers were filled to overflowing at Monday night's town council meeting as wind energy and turbines were the main focus of the meeting.

Town Council was discussing a By-Law to address Health & Safety Concerns Relating to Wind Generation Facilities.  The proposed By-Law arose after a resolution was passed at the June 14th meeting of council that was a result of a draft By-Law received from Arran-Elderslie asking the Province to place a moratorium on wind turbines until health affects have been studied.  In Saugeen Shores, a special clause was added to exempt the CAW's proosed wind turbine from the terms and conditions of the By-Law. 

A number of municipalities, including Saugeen Shores, have supported Arran-Elderslie in its stand against the Province regarding the Green Energy Act and the location and erection of wind generation facilities.  They are requesting a meeting with the Minister(s) at the upcoming Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference to be held in August.  The one addition to the By-Law that was made by Saugeen Shores was

Deputy Mayor Doug Freiburger firmly stated his views that Council should support the Arran-Elderslie By-Law.  "I believe there has been a lot of inaction by the Province toward the public health and well-being of the people of Ontario.  It becomes our responsibility, as a municipality, to do what we can to help in this regard and I hope we regard the health of our residents to be paramount and request our government to do a complete study on the sightings of these turbines. l support the Arran-Elderslie By-Law."

Vice Deputy Mayor Doug Gowanlock also weighed in saying that he had a lot concerns with the Green Energy Act as a whole and the affect it has had on communities.  "We have neighbours turning against neighbours.  We pointed out it was unfair to tax commercial applications at the farm rate and that it is a subsidy we as taxpayers are paying.  The studies that have been done regarding health issues are also incomplete."

Gowanlock went on to say that one of his fears, when amalgamation took place, was that there would be a the loss in the ability for municipalities to deal with rural issues.  "People in Toronto do not understand how money is being spent in rural areas.  I do however, have issues about getting into a court battle with the province.  We need to press the Minister at AMO to see if we can get some sort of consultative process going."

Councilor Thead Seaman said that two weeks ago he was all for the By-Law but then stated that he would not support a By-Law that might force "...our municipality into an expensive court battle.  The Province's pockets are a lot deeper than ours.  Why doesn't the province look at putting wind turbines in the far north where there a few people?"

Councilor Luke Charbonneau said that he agrees with the sentiment of the proposed By-Law and that municipality should push the province to set right the health issues that have been raised.  "I would [however] like to see the municipality take action that will actually achieve something.  I want to know that this By-Law will work and make a difference if we pass it."

While Councilor Taun Frosst said that he was leaning toward supporting the By-Law he also wanted to see a comparison of actual costs involved and the amount of money that has been given to studies by the Province.

With the final word, Mayor Mike Smith, said that he felt very uncomfortable about the Green Energy Act.  "Our Council Chambers are filled with people and that says something.  We have to look at the the constitutional rights of this By-Law.  This is very high on the agenda at AMO and we will be pressing the matter with the Minister(s).

The By-Law discussion continued 'in-camera' and it was decided by Council to postpone any decision until after the AMO Conference in August.

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Tuesday, June 29, 2010