Hinsdale Wind
Site Description
350 acre tract of land located on the easterly edge of the Warner Hill ridge line in Hinsdale. Ma. The strongest attribute of the property for wind development is its location, extending north to south with 6,650 ft of its westerly boundary line on or just adjacent to the ridgeline. It has gentle, sloping contours to its easterly borders, which minimize visual impact from adjacent vantage points. The majority of the property is relatively young-growth hardwood as the forest appears to have been forested in the 80’s. Residential units are at a distance of 3,000 ft or greater and will present no setback limitations. The property was originally platted in 1912. In the early 40’s, a large section was sub-divided off the westerly side of the original estate and transferred to the Department of Interior to accommodate a segment of the Appalachian corridor. In 1990, the Town of Hinsdale acquired a small northern section of the land in order to rebuild the Belmont Reservoir supply.
Wind Resource Assessment
| Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 |
| Unit 4 | Unit 5 | Unit 6 |
|
Site Information
Plunkett Ave Hinsdale Ma 01235 |
|
|
Unit 1 Latitude |
42̊ 25’ 06.89”
42.418581 |
|
Longitude |
73̊ 08’ 55.74”
- 73.148817 |
|
Elevation (ft) |
1861 |
|
Unit 2 Latitude |
42̊ 25’ 15.91”
42.421086 |
|
Longitude |
73̊ 08’ 57.49”
- 73.149303 |
|
Elevation (ft) |
1827 |
|
Unit 3 Latitude |
42̊ 25’ 22.69”
42.422969 |
|
Longitude |
73̊ 09’ 03.57”
- 73.150992 |
|
Elevation (ft) |
1830 |
|
Unit 4 Latitude |
42̊ 25’ 31.02”
42.425283 |
|
Longitude |
73̊ 09’ 06.13”
- 73.151703 |
|
Elevation (ft) |
1823 |
|
Unit 5 Latitude |
42̊ 24’ 52.93”
42.414703 |
|
Longitude |
73̊ 08’ 58.99”
-73.149719 |
|
Elevation (ft) |
1902 |
|
Unit 6 Latitude |
42̊ 25’ 39.42”
42.427617 |
|
Longitude |
73̊ 09’ 04.80”
-73.151333 |
|
Elevation (ft) |
1828
|
Environmental/Permitting
Each environmental and permitting issue has been carefully
reviewed. SRC has met with the town of Hinsdale Selectman as
well as the Planning and Zoning departments and has found
that the town government is in favor of the project.
Sustainable Resource Consulting has contacted the DRC
regarding the watershed in the environmental concern mapping
and has received positive reviews of this project. (See
attached response).
None of the 6 proposed turbine sites will disturb the
10-acre area of wooded wetlands as shown on National
Wetlands Inventory map. SRC has contacted the Appalachian
Trail Conservancy, having had numerous conversations
regarding the proposed project. The ATC is concerned about
the project being in their visual foreground at this time.
We are currently communicating to find an acceptable
compromise to gain their support of the project.
Interconnection
Single phase power exists at the site entrance
and is approximately 4,500 feet from the closest unit. SRC is
currently working with WMECO to establish the exact voltage and
capacity of the existing lines to better understand the impact of
the interconnection. From these preliminary discussions, it appears
that one mile of existing lines may need to be upgraded. Until
formal application is made and fees are paid for the utility to
conduct their feasibility, this is the best information SRC has at
this time.
Site Access
An extension of the towns Persip rd which is existing but non maintained extends to the site off secondary town maintained paved Plunkett Reservoir Rd. An opportunity exists to gain level access across an adjacent neighbors lot from Pittsfield/Blotz Rd.
