Turbine winds up some neighbors
Not everyone agrees that union's project improves the view
It does not make much noise. It barely moves, actually. Since May, the white, three-blade windmill, a seemingly innocuous symbol of renewable energy, has stood out on Freeport Street, less than a half-mile from three-decker houses in Dorchester.
But to some residents around this working-class neighborhood, its sudden rise represents how little influence they hold when it comes to what is built in their skyline.
''If this was out in Brookline or Newton or Wellesley, they would have had to answer to the people," said Joe Gaffney of Granger Street.
A proposed offshore windfarm in Nantucket Sound has drawn hundreds of protesters and politicians, horrified that the structures will blight a treasured view. Even Governor Mitt Romney dove into the fight, calling on the US Army Corps of Engineers to back off the project. In Dorchester, however, the 148-foot windmill appeared at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 103 headquarters unexpectedly one day, some unhappy neighbors said.
''They're squawking about it in Martha's Vineyard," said Edward T. Hurley, 73, of Granger Street. ''But it's in my backyard, and no one asked me."
Though some find the windmill soothing, even exotic, as far as aesthetics go, it's winning few fans around Freeport Street.
''It's atrocious," said Lam Nguyen, 19, of Beach Street.
''It's a big goofy-looking thing," said Chris O'Connor, 28, of Orchardfield Street.
''Maybe they could put some [flower] petals on it or something," suggested James Rigby, 44, of Duncan Place.
The windmill, a turbine that will act as a teaching tool for electrical apprentices and is expected to generate 35 percent of the headquarters' electricity, looms beside the Southeast Expressway, almost directly across the highway from the 165-foot
Union leaders met with and received support from the Clam Point Civic Association, a group representing residents on Freeport Street.
The union has offered the organization a $5,000 donation, which would be used to help clean up Dorchester, and even set aside a scholarship for a local high school student interested in studying environmental sciences, said association president Helen McChesney.
Dorchester's other associations, however, did not get such attention. It's nothing personal, said Marty Aikens, business agent for Local 103. The union contacted Clam Point at the city's suggestion, conducted noise studies to alleviate the group's concerns, and promised to keep light beacons off the turbine, he said.
''I did everything I could," Aikens said.
Councilor Maureen E. Feeney, who represents Dorchester, said the union also reached out to the Columbia-Savin Hill Civic Association to give members a presentation.
The groups represent the neighborhoods city officials believed would be the most affected, she said.
James W. Hunt, the city's chief of environmental and energy services, said he wishes that residents would focus on the benefits of the turbine, not its physical appearance.
''Beauty is obviously in the eye of the beholder, but I hope they look at it for what it represents, cleaner energy and cleaner air for the city of Boston," he said.
The windmill is a worthy project, but the approval process should have involved more neighbors, said Bill Walczak, a member of the Columbia-Savin Hill Association. He said the union met with his group after the city gave the project its approval.
''I support wind power in general," he said. ''On the other hand, as a community activist, you want to know when they're putting up a very large monument [in] your view."
Davida Andelman, director of community health at the Bowdoin Street Health Center, said that in a neighborhood with so many civic groups, it is difficult to alert everyone who may be affected.
''How far is the swath that you cast?" she said. For her part, she likes the turbine and admires its long blades during her morning exercises.
Those less pleased with the appearance may be comforted by a small park that will soon be erected around the turbine, Aikens said. It should soften its look and, it is hoped, attract curious residents who want to learn more about wind energy.
''It's a new landmark of Boston," he said.
Maria Cramer can be reached at mcramer@globe.com. 