Public Hearing On Wind Turbines Tonight

A public meeting will take place this evening to discuss the proposed wind turbine amendments. Can't make the meeting? Tell council your thoughts in the comments!

  Tonight, Middletown will have an opportunity to chime in on one of the most controversial local debates. A public hearing is scheduled to discuss an ordinance that would amend Article 25A of the Middletown zoning code which would restrict wind turbines in Middletown.  The hearing is part of the regularly scheduled meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. at Middletown Town Hall. The motion to draft the ordinance was approved in February after Councilor Chris Semonelli said residents on Mitchell’s Lane complained of flicker, shadow and noise distractions.  A neighbor has had a privately owned wind turbine in place for several years. One lifelong resident, Tracie Spooner, said the turbine on Mitchell's Lane forced her to move away from the area…

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Wind Turbine Amendments To Be Debated at Public Hearing

Although the Planning Board concluded proposed amendments to the wind turbines were inconsistent with the comprehensive plan, council approved the proposal to be forwarded to a public hearing.

Proposed amendments that would restrict wind turbines in Middletown will soon be debated at a public hearing. On June 6, Middletown Town Council asked the Planning Board to review the amendments that would prohibit wind turbines in all zoning districts, with the exception of agricultural uses, field crop farms or horticultural nurseries or livestock farms.   After a special meeting held on June 20, the Board determined the amendments were not consistent with the Middletown comprehensive community plan. In a letter to the town council, the board said the amendments would “severely limit the feasibility, financially and physically, of future turbine development in Middletown.” During Monday’s Council meeting, Councillor Chris Semonelli said …

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Gov. Chafee Signs Renewable Energy Laws In Tiverton [VIDEO]

Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee held a press conference with state leaders at Sandywoods Farm in Tiverton on Thursday to sign four renewable energy bills into law, as well as to see the construction of a wind turbine on site.

Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee signed four bills at Sandywoods Farm in Tiverton on Thursday, all which are aimed to foster the generation and use of renewable energy in Rhode Island. The bills were approved by the General Assembly earlier this year. The governor and other state leaders also walked the grounds of Sandywoods to view a wind turbine currently being constructed and installed at the eco-friendly housing community. Three of the four bills are aimed to diversify Rhode Island’s energy-generating resources, promote grid connectivity, properly distribute generated renewable energy and encourage economic development. The first bill (2011-S 0457A, 2011-H 5939 A) limits net-metering to renewable energy projects connected to meters and where …

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5 Things To Know Today

Today: Middletown Schools Seek New Assistant Principal, Diabetes Class for Adults

See what's happening around Middletown today.

1. Middletown Public Schools are seeking to hire a new assistant principal at Gaudet Middle School to fill the vacancy left by Michael Mancieri, who has been promoted to replace retiring principal Vincent Giuliano.  2. Are you struggling with managing your diabetes? Know someone who is? Beginning this morning at 9:30 a.m. at the Newport office, the Visiting Nurse Services of Newport & Bristol Counties will host a five-week Diabetes Outpatient Education class for adults. 3. UPDATE: Due to rain, tonight's People's Power & Light Wind Turbine BBQ in Portsmouth has been postponed to June 29. 4. Is that rain coming our way? Get today’s weather here. 5. On this date in history in 1944, the first G.I. Bill was signed as part of President Franklin …

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5 Things To Know Today

Today: Summer Camp Hiring, Wind Turbine Committee Meets

Here's how Tuesday is shaping up for Middletown.

Middletown Public Schools are hiring for Summer School and Summer Camp positions.  The Wind Turbine Committee meets tonight at 6 p.m. Download or view the agenda in the image gallery at above right or visit the town website. Learn the basics of digital photography or brush up on your digi-photo skills. Tuesday classes take place at the Middletown Senior Center. Click here to learn more. Looking for a therapeutic, gentle exercise that doesn’t require a health club membership or spending money? Check out the free Tai Chi practice sessions held every Tuesday and Friday from 8-9 a.m. For more information, contact Cheryl Foster at (401) 849-6221.  Today’s weather. Find out here.

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Ask the Candidates: What's Your Position on Wind Turbines?

As the controversial issue of wind turbines in Middletown escalated over the last week, here's where Middletown's 13 candidates for Town Council stood.

In the next four weeks leading to the Nov. 2 Election, Patch is asking the Town Council candidates where they stand on important issues facing the town. Given the events of this last week, the logical first question to pose concerned the future of wind turbine construction in Middletown. Residents and would-be voters made it clear at Monday night's public hearing regarding wind turbines that the alternative energy source remains a divisive issue this election year. Two separate proposals are making their way through the town's approval process right now: Proposed changes to the existing zoning amendment to include language that matches the town's Comprehensive Plan that restricts future turbines from construction in areas that are natural…

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