Chelmsford should oppose Billerica power plant

Sometimes common sense is worth more than money. Even if it happens to be $1.5 million a year for 20 years.

[Matthew Liscom]

I heard about this and didn't pay much attention until the recent press. The more I learned, the less I was convinced.It doesn't seem like a good idea. The fact that towns around the area are up in arms should tell you something. That many people checking into it can't be wrong.

[Vicky Roy]

This kind of combustibles is never good in an area as populated as the surrounding area of the proposed site. All the safeguards in the world do not make up for "it only takes one time". There are many many Billerica residents who do not agree with this idea. It is not good business sense to put our towns in this type of danger.

[lowering the bar]

How many windmills and solar panels could be built for the same amount of money?

[Suzanne]

Roy, I agree 100%.

The failure of our elected officials to move quickly on the opposition will be a huge disappointment that will forever impact the health and safety of our town.

Hindsight is always 20/20, but there is more than enough evidence to support the refusal of this plant up front.

[SMC]

Thank you Roy for this fine letter. It's appalling that this could happen within a 5 mile radius of our schools. I don't understand why our Selectmen weren't on top of this in Chelmsford months ago. React to the residents is unfortunately the way they do business in town instead of being Proactive for their constituents.

[007_Chelmsford]

I couldn't have said it better myself.

[Jack_Chelmsford]

It is a stupid plan.

And the Board of Selectmen should have come out against it long ago.

Another example of being reactive
and not proactive.

[Beth]

How do the Selectmen and Town Manager expect us to believe their plea for an override
to protect public safety in Chelmsford,
when they won't take a stand on this power plant???
Once again always the followers not the leaders :(

Their lack of credibility among the people is astounding.

[Eric D]

Roy,

Thank you for the initiative you have shown on this - you're a good man to take this on.

Chelmsford needs more people like you.

[AndCleanAirForAl l]

Thank goodness the surrounding towns are opposing this plant. It is a bad plan and everyone should do whatever they can to stop it.

[Tewkbury Citizen]

If people are truly serious about stopping this plant they need to step up to the plate as it is taken to the next level. An appeal is inevitable whichever decision comes down VERY soon and that will take FUNDING for legal representation at the SJC level. Time to put your money where your mouth is. To be successful one can't expect the financial burden to be placed on the backs of a few. The Billerica Watchers Group is the ONLY entity granted intervenor status on the opposing side. If ALL surrounding community citizens can give a small donation to the cause, it will go a long way to help. Details as well as a wealth of information on this issue can be found at: http://BillericaPowerPlant.org .

[Wow]

No one wants these things in their back yard so where do we put them? Better yet what do we do when there's not enough power to fill the need? This fight everything mentality is going to be the end of us. Instead of saying no to everything how about working together to find acceptable solutions? Look at the whole Home Depot debacle, no health issues there but we can't have that either right. The same people will be crying about their excessive tax bills.....can't have it both ways.

[CONSERVE]

Are you kidding Wow? How about we do the only sensible thing considering the realities of our world: START CONSERVING. If people stopped being such consumtion junkies, we'd never have to entertain more power plants.
Or, if a power plant is proposed, how about it utilizes the extensive amount of technology now available to make it environmentally friendly! This plant is being fought because it is a bad project, nothing more, nothing less.

[billerica native 2]

Wow wrote:

No one wants these things in their back yard so where do we put them? Better yet what do we do when there's not enough power to fill the need? This fight everything mentality is going to be the end of us. Instead of saying no to everything how about working together to find acceptable solutions? Look at the whole Home Depot debacle, no health issues there but we can't have that either right. The same people will be crying about their excessive tax bills.....can't have it both ways.

So, I guess you're saying you'd love to have it in Tyngsboro. Who don't you volunteer that idea to your town hall.

[MrTipps]

Sometimes NIMBY opposition actually makes good sense.

[Wow]

I don't live in Tyngsboro. I'm on Cybertron.

[not backing down]

Your choice of location leaves me wondering if you are at all concerned with the health of the citizens you build your power plants near. It also makes me wonder if you seek out communities struggling with budget problems so that it will be easier to exploit the people who have to live with the consequences of the pollution coming from your plant. Dangling 1.5 million dollars per year for 20 years surely gives town officials something to consider to the point that many things may be overlooked, both health and safety are at the top of that list.
Move it to your town Mr. Fitzpatrick. We already have one on Tanner Street in Lowell

[nice2meetu2]

Billerica has nothing but Dunkin Donuts, bar rooms, and people with pickup trucks. They should flood the whole town and build a hydro electric plant in its place, with a Dunkin Donuts drive through of course.

[duh]

oh now THAT'S a well thought out comment......

[Brian]

Wow wrote:

No one wants these things in their back yard so where do we put them? Better yet what do we do when there's not enough power to fill the need? This fight everything mentality is going to be the end of us. Instead of saying no to everything how about working together to find acceptable solutions? Look at the whole Home Depot debacle, no health issues there but we can't have that either right. The same people will be crying about their excessive tax bills.....can't have it both ways.

Well put! I would like to know what Billerica is for, besides corrupt politicians and a police dept that seems to target residents that they don't really care for (read up on recent lawsuits). Billerica residents don't want a Home Depot which would revitalize an already delapitated eyesore right square in teh middle of town and they don't want an alternative source of energy there. FOLKS what is it you do want, besides continuous complaining about your property tax bill increasing year over year because you do NOTHING to funnel more property tax relief into your town. I dont' know the in's and outs of this particular facility, but my understanding is that they run other such facilities in other locations with zero problems and this one would be pretty close to the Lowell line as well...i dont' hear to many of them complaining....just you townies that for some reason or another think you too good for a Home Depot or energy facility.

Come out with legitimate arguements as to why you do not want this particular facility where it is being proposed and what the pro's and cons are, rather than i don't want it in my town.