Carthage voters set aside $356,998 to prepare for large increases in school tax costs due to its wind project value. The project will lead to drastically reduced state payments for school costs.

What does that say about Dixfield’s wind proposal?

Canton’s project will lead to further reduction in state funding. If Dixfield passes its new-old ordinance, it will shift further large costs to town taxes. But there’s more.

Dixfield voters previously rejected DEP sound limits for industrial wind. They are the highest allowed in Maine, intended for wilderness projects. The planning board worked for months on a compromise proposal reducing sound limits by a modest 2 dB, seeking small protection for residents near the project.

Home value losses, sleep health risks and noise nuisance warrant citizen protections. But an aggressive pro-wind majority on the select board overruled that planning board proposal. They want another re-vote on DEP sound levels, re-voting until they get maximum pro-wind ordinances passed.

Wind is not green, considering the environmental destruction for such tiny output. Maine’s scenic resources are disappearing. Mountaintops are virtually strip-mined for towers. Wind power is not financially viable, requiring inflated electricity rates to pay for export to southern New England.

Artificially inflated costs are crushing Maine industry, a factor in mill closings. This is not electricity for Maine. Maine has a surplus of electricity. This is corporate export profits.

Dixfield residents should vote against the wind ordinance and demand town leaders listen to voter rejection of damaging ordinances. The town needs to heal.

Lauren Hebert, Dixfield