Would You Want a Windmill in Your Backyard?

Out in the suburbs, if there’s a windmill in your area, you know it.

You’re looking at 300 ft of mammoth steel towering over any other structure for miles.

It’s not something you’d miss.

A local businessman recently constructed one in my home town of  Newburyport.**

He had to battle the town for months to get the building permit.  Fearing unwanted noise and night light, those with homes near the building site challenged the construction.  Many other town residents - not wanting a windmill mucking up their New England skyline - further supported their efforts.

I followed the whole battle through front page articles in the local newspaper (this is BIG news in town!)  Finally, last October, the permit to build the windmill was issued, and a skyscraper of a crane appeared where the windmill would soon stand.

Giant  chunks of steel and an ominous three pronged propeller were trucked in.

What followed was truly amazing to watch.  Over a period of about 2 months, the skyline was transformed from “quaint coastal” to “quaint coastal plus modern day albatross.”

Don Quixote would have turned around and went home.

The  local newspaper has been flooded with letters - the windmill has brought out strong opinions in both directions.

And now, just as things are quieting down, this evening’s paper tells me there are more windmills on the way.

The windmill, like an amoeba, is about to multiply.  And skylines here in Newburyport, and across the country, are about to change.

How do you feel about it?  Would you want a windmill in your back yard?

** Massachusetts, USA

photos courtesy of Dano (above) and The Daily News

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