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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, July 9, 2012 <br />7:00 o'clock p.m. <br />(PUBLIC COMMENTS, Continued) <br />Rogers noted that Mr. Nygard has stated in newspaper articles that he is not affecting the health, safety or <br />welfare of anyone and that there are no ordinances that he is violating, which is far from the truth. He <br />also admits that his motivation to install the wind generator is not solely driven by an overwhelming <br />concern for the environment or to conserve reserves. Mr. Nygard said this is also part of his business. <br />Rogers stated in addition to running a turbine all hours of the day and night, Mr. Nygard has also been <br />harassing the neighbors in other ways. <br />Rogers stated the City of Orono is doing the right thing by suing Jay and Kendall Nygard for their illegal <br />and continuous violations of the City's ordinances. The City cannot make exceptions, nor should they, for <br />structures that violate its ordinances. Working with the City legally is the right solution. Rogers stated in <br />her view the placement of the first turbine on the property and now the second turbine on the property <br />constitutes harassment against them. It is intrusive and it has caused them substantial adverse affects on <br />their privacy and property value. <br />Sheridan Nygard, 1386 Rest Point Road, noted there are a lot of people that do support the wind turbine. <br />There is a wide range of ages that support wind energy. Nygard stated the wind turbine will affect you a <br />little bit if you live near it but that it does not bother her. Nygard commented her dad does like the wind <br />turbine and that even if he cannot keep it, she will keep trying to utilize green energy. Nygard noted she <br />also has some friends here who think it is cool. <br />Dennis Walsh, 1354 Rest Point Circle, stated everyone is for green technology but that there is a context <br />and a place. Walsh noted Jay Nygard served on Orono's Planning Commission and also on the City <br />Council and that he knows there are processes and rules to follow but that he has chosen a different route. <br />Walsh stated the City has a few choices in dealing with this situation. There is the integrity of the City <br />from a rural standpoint in how the rules should be followed or a lawlessness of the Wild West where <br />citizens do whatever they want, whenever they want regardless of the situation with the neighbors or <br />anything else. Walsh stated that is a problem for the City. There are reasons for codes, and if the City <br />does not uphold those codes, this situation will exacerbate and the City will not have any laws. <br />Walsh stated at this point the courts have ruled pretty clearly what is right and what is wrong and that the <br />property owner needs to comply with the court's ruling. Walsh encouraged everyone to work with the <br />City to get things implemented the correct way and that the people who do things incorrectly need to be <br />held accountable. <br />Walsh noted Jay Nygard talks about doing the right thing but that he keeps putting up more structures that <br />get red tagged and torn down. Walsh stated he hopes the Nygards do the right thing so the neighbors can <br />put it behind them and they can have a peaceful neighborhood once again. <br />Shalen Score, 5797 Colony Lane, stated there is nothing wrong with a wind turbine since it provides free <br />energy, and if there is a problem with lights, that is what curtains are for. <br />Page 6 of 9 <br />