A matter of Dixfield's economy

To the Editor:

My husband and I have been concerned of late about being labeled as “less than intelligent” because we happen to support wind power.

It is not a matter of intelligence, it is a matter of the economy of the Town of Dixfield. We have lived here since 1963 and have been involved in town affairs most of that time.

We are upset that the town’s tax base seems not to have an opportunity to grow. There are no locations in Dixfield suitable for any small industry or large employer to set up a business on the town’s infrastructure. There are some downtown options available and they have been sitting empty.

So where will help come from for tax relief? Right now, new homes seem to be the only option. The economy has taken away that option. Dixfield has many nice homes for sale just waiting for families who, as of now, cannot afford them.

We are being offered the chance of a lifetime. Patriot Renewables wants to invest $40 million in the Town of Dixfield.

Multiply that times our current tax rate and it adds up to almost $800,000. Yes, they do depreciate over 20 years but they also reinvest in those towers to meet changing technologies and make them more efficient over time.

Would you walk away from an investment that large? Not to mention that the towers produce power without the use of coal or oil but from the ever available wind. It does not matter where the power “goes” but that it “is,” and helps cut back on the pollution from coal or oil powered generators in other areas. Because of Maine’s environmental laws, we have restrictions on some of these polluters but the laws of nature bring that pollution to us from sources to our west.

Many citizens of Woodstock and Roxbury and those who have summer homes there have been very happy with the benefits they have seen and there have been few complaints. What a town does with the money it earns from these towers is as individual as the towns themselves.

Funds for projects can be set up, help with the tax rate is a possiblilty, and many needs of the town can be met if there is thought taken during this process of preparing for an influx that large.

One other source of money as a result of the wind power project would come from what is called “tangible benefits.” These are not tax dollars but can be of great benefit to the town. This would be calculated by multiplying the number of turbines by $4000 each.

If you have questions, speak to the town manager and ask him what Dixfield’s opportunities are.

Ralph and Norine Clarke,

Dixfield