To the editor:

In the January 30 Sakonnet Times there was an article concerning the Wingate Solar Farm

proposal. There still remain quite a few issues that require further work by both the developer and the Tiverton Planning Board. Many have already been addressed by the developers in that they have modified the scale of the project, largely due to residents concerns.

One area that is raising concern is that their are "historical" structures on the property. These should not be an issue for the town. We should not be creating or inventing special requirements for each and every request. We should not be altering the rules for individual players just because a few of us have an issue. 

If an applicant is acting within the confines of the town plan, zoning and existing regulations and wants to remove, or add onto, structures on their property who are we to say they can't by attaching our personal values to the request? 

The structures in question are not on any historical register nor are they within a historical district. If the owner attaches no particular value to them then who are we to say he must just because some of us do?

I have no problem with requiring some additional requirements such as buffer zones, easements, dust and noise controls, screening, etc. to protect abutting properties. But to tell a property owner that he can not use his property in a way that is legal, as well as pleasing and beneficial to himself or herself, simply because it violates our sensibilities is just wrong. 

Jay Edwards

Member, Tiverton Budget Committee