Council here has reaffirmed the township’s status as an “unwilling host” for wind turbine projects.
On Oct. 11 council passed a resolution mirroring one passed by the previous council in May of 2013, stating, “The Township of Mapleton declares itself to be an unwilling host for further wind energy developments.”
The new resolution quotes the 2013 document, stating, “The reason is the significant number (11 residents to date) suffering negative health effects since the Conestogo Wind Farm was commissioned. At least one has had to move out of their residence and live in a mobile home parked several kilometres away.”
The issue arose after a group calling itself Concerned Citizens of Wallace and Mapleton held a public information meeting in Moorefield Sept. 6 to raise awareness and organize opposition to a potential wind turbine project in the region.
At the Sept. 14 council meeting, councillor Dennis Craven noted he was unable to provide an answer when asked the current council’s position on turbines, as they had never discussed it.
At the Sept. 27 meeting, council directed staff to prepare a motion for consideration “to reaffirm it’s declaration as an unwilling host for further wind energy developments.”
The resolution at the Oct. 11 meeting passed unopposed, without discussion.
