Donald Reisner, Parks and Recreation Commissioner, wants a hybrid wind system to make electric light for night games. This, says Reisner, is surely coming.
But there are some obstacles. First, the wind turbine costs $57,046. Reisner requests that amount from the town’s capital budget. So that vote is the first obstacle.
Then Reisner has to talk with the Conservation Commission to find the right place to locate it environmentally — easy obstacle, it appears.
After that comes the variance the wind turbine needs from the Zoning Board of Appeals because the maximum height is 40 feet and the turbine stands 90 feet. Another obstacle, it will take some time.
And somewhere in the mix come talks with the neighbors to find out how they like the idea. It could be welcomed and could be resisted. Either way it is another obstacle to be handled.
Of course it needs to be determined this part of town is capable of supporting a wind turbine. Is it high enough? Is there enough wind to support a turbine?
So there are lots of pieces to the wind turbine that have to be managed correctly to make it work.
But the wind turbine should be done some day. It is inevitable.
Town Administrator William Keegan plans to ask the Capital Expenditures Committee to approve the $57,046 next year. That is a good sign. Keegan and the Parks and Recreation Commission agree here — wind turbine power is a good idea.
It is estimated that this Rustcraft Field will save the town about $3,000 a year in electricity and will work for around 100 years. So it would be a money saver.
What is more, there might be programs at the federal or state level that can help Dedham pay for the wind turbine.
While there is a lot to be done, Dedham is ready to leap into the future.
