To the Editor:

I have been a Hopkinton resident and tax payer for 43 years. I am writing to encourage people to support the Avangrid North Ridge Wind Farm Project.

The projected payments from the wind farm to the town and school are projected to be $23 million over 30 years. These monies could be used to lower taxes or assist the town with updating and maintaining facilities. The payments could also assist the school district with improving curriculum and re-instating popular programs that have been cut due to budget deficits.

I think that we are being offered a fair deal. The projected payments our towns would receive are 20% higher than the Noble Clinton Wind Farm in Chateaugay pays their involved towns. Both that project and the proposed project for Parishville/Hopkinton are of similar size.

I feel that this project will give our town a much needed economic boost. Jobs will be created to construct and maintain the Wind Farm. The payments made for landowner leases, easements and good neighbor leases are projected to be 15 million over 30 years. This money will also boost the local economy.

Avangrids’ sound recommendations are consistent with the World Health Organization. They will ensure residents health and safety. Avangrid has designed the North Ridge Wind Farm to meet these standards which are: 45 DBA sound at exterior of nearest non-participating residence, 2000 ft. residence setback and 1.5 times turbine tip height to property boundaries.

These are realistic standards that everyone can work with and are more strict than many of the operating wind farms in Northern NY. This is a chance to create clean renewable energy. Energy that doesn’t spew greenhouse gases, acid rain and mercury into our environment. Renewable energy is the future.

Like all progress there are positives and negative impacts. I believe there are way more positives than negatives with wind power.

Timothy Kelly

Hopkinton