Wayne Auto Spa

You may tell the Mayor of Wayne Township how you feel about our proposed wind turbine. Click on this link and email him directly:

http://mygovhelp.com/WAYNENJ/supportcontact.asp?sSessionID=&lstFilter_a=12

The Mayor has taken several positions in writing and in interviews on this subject.  Here they are, along with our responses to him.  On November 14, I asked the Mayor, by email, that if my responses are true would he support our wind turbine proposal. 

He has never responded.  Shouldn’t he?

If you agree that I at least deserve a response, in writing, please email the Mayor and tell him so.

The Mayor’s Position:  “…Rumana believes a successful variance application by Burke [for a wind turbine] would attract builders interested in increasing profits by adding stories” to their buildings, also above current zoning ordinance height limits.  (The Star Ledger, 12/14/06, p. 27)

Fact:  A variance for this proposal wouldn’t require the Town to grant anyone else approval of anything else.  As a matter of law, every property is unique.  So is every variance application.  Granting one property permission to do something does not require the Township to grant the same permission to all property owners.  Under no circumstances could a variance for a turbine restrict the Town from denying variances for taller buildings or for more wind turbines or for anything else for that matter.

The Mayor’s Position:  ”That area has some of the most majestic views of rolling hills…It really is a beautiful sight.  I don’t want to have that view blocked by a series of 100 foot structures.”  (The Star Ledger, 12/14/06, p. 27)

Facts: 

• First, that view won’t be blocked at all.  There won’t be a series of 100 foot structures.  The zoning ordinance limits buildings to 50 feet tall.  If you don’t want taller buildings, don’t grant them variances.
• Second, the wind turbine will be a 100 foot tall monopole and have three blades that spin when the wind blows.   Many people find them attractive.  In any case, it won’t block much view at all.

The Mayor’s Position:  “Should this proposal be approved, theoretically we could have 100 foot tall structures all up and down Hamburg Turnpike. This certainly would have a negative impact on our visual environment. I cannot necessarily promote this.”  (Form Letter from the Mayor to several folks that have emailed him in support of the wind turbine, various dates)

Fact:  Wind turbines will only be built where there is wind.  Wind maps of Wayne Township compiled by NASA indicate that our property is unique to Wayne Township.  We have one of the only spots on which a turbine could be constructed due to the property’s characteristics and the presence of enough wind.  There won’t be wind turbines popping up everywhere. 

The Mayor’s Postion:  “Obviously, scenic beauty is of equal environmental concern for our community, as is the potential for noise pollution.”  (Form letter from the Mayor to several folks that have emailed him in support of the wind turbine, various dates)

Fact:  The turbine will emit noise at decibel levels within current zoning limits.

Question:  What do you think?  What’s more important? 

• Clean air,
• Resource conservation, and
• A reduction of our dependency on foreign oil

OR 

• Preventing the construction of a wind turbine at a car wash in a commercial area on a 4 lane county road?

The Mayor’s Position:  “…for some reason, [Burke] is stuck on the wind turbine.”

Fact:  Yes, I am.  Because the wind turbine will generate in excess of 10,000 kwh of clean, renewable electricity every year, forever.  That will:

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15,000 pounds annually
• Make the air we breathe in Wayne Township cleaner
• Reduce the strain on the local power grid
• Reduce our dependency on foreign oil and thereby enhance our national security
• Improve the quality of our habitat for ourselves and for future generations

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