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Residents urge wind energy rules and back YMCA reuse of old municipal building
Summary
During public comment, a longtime resident and physician urged the township to adopt rules allowing small vertical‑axis wind turbines downtown, citing low decibel levels and calling for updated regulations; another resident urged the committee to consider a YMCA takeover of the old municipal building to restore community services such as a pool.
Public comment at the Montgomery Township Committee meeting included two substantive pleas from residents: one urging the township to permit small wind turbines and another supporting YMCA reuse of a vacant municipal building.
Dr. Van Beveren, who said he has been a Montgomery resident for 45 years and practices medicine, asked the township to help draft rules and regulations that would allow vertical‑axis wind turbines in town. He argued these devices would generate electricity and help residents save on rising rates. “I am convinced that windmills will help Montgomery, especially Montgomery downtown,” he said, adding that in his view the turbines would produce low sound levels — “Really it's about 22 decibels, which is about as soft as a whisper” — and that the generator “has absolutely no noise whatsoever.” He told the committee he had been in contact with township staff and provided technical materials for review.
Township staff responded that conversations with the township consultant are ongoing and that the consultant’s assessment of wind speed and appropriate siting had not matched the commenter’s materials in scope; staff encouraged further exchanges to clarify the technical record.
Later in public comment, Justin Mayer said he and neighbors support the YMCA’s interest in taking on the old municipal building, calling the organization “trusted” and saying it could provide services the township lacks, such as a public pool and child‑care programming. “I’d really encourage you guys to consider that proposal from the YMCA and make great use of that,” Mayer said.
The committee recorded the comments; staff noted they had been in contact with the residents and would continue to review materials and applications.
The committee closed public comment and proceeded with the agenda.
