Time to end the Whalerock dispute, once and for all

Charlestown Democrats call on town to negotiate an open space deal to end Whalerock crisis

(Charlestown) The Charlestown Democratic Town Committee (CDTC) voted unanimously to express its opposition to the proposed Whalerock industrial wind turbine project that has stirred up almost universal opposition since it was first proposed three years ago.

But instead of spending more town resources on further legal maneuvers to block the project, the CDTC called on town leaders to begin negotiating in good faith with the Whalerock developers to purchase the undeveloped 81 acres overlooking Scenic Route One so the land can be preserved as open space.

Calling the Whalerock project “the wrong technology in the wrong location,” town Democrats call the open space option “the best option to serve the needs, interests, and property values of Charlestown citizens, preserve this piece of beautiful land on our scenic highway, and protect the environment.”

CDTC Chair Catherine Collette said, “This project has already caused a tremendous amount of turmoil and trouble in our town. It has been hard on the neighbors to live in uncertainty. I think most people in town want to see that land left as it is, and the only way to ensure that outcome is to negotiate a fair price with its owners.”

Charlestown voters have approved funding for open space/recreation acquisition and funding for worthy projects, such as the beach pavilions at the town beaches, that serve the greater good.

CDTC Chair Collette also noted, “As a committee, we are still committed to addressing our community’s energy needs through green energy, including wind power, but projects need to appropriately sized and sited so that we don’t address one problem by causing another.”

Here is the full text of the CDTC Resolution:

While the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee (CDTC) supports the concept of wind energy in viable locations as one of the many forms of “green energy” needed to replace fossil fuels and help reduce the devastating effects of climate change, the CDTC opposes the proposed Whalerock industrial wind farm on the grounds that it is the wrong technology in the wrong location.

However, the CDTC believes that focusing solely on expensive and possibly futile litigation will only result in one objectionable proposal after another for that land.

We urge Charlestown to shift its approach away from litigation to reasonable and open-minded negotiations that result in the acquisition of the Whalerock site as open space.

The CDTC believes that setting aside that property as open space is the best option to serve the needs, interests, and property values of Charlestown citizens, preserve this piece of beautiful land on our scenic highway, and protect the environment.