July 12th, 2016

​Tuesday morning Antelope County Supervisors meeting resulted in some residents of Antelope County expressing their concern about the report on sound from the wind turbines. 
 
The county had a five-week study conducted in March and April to figure out if the decibel that the wind turbines produce is within the regulated amount the county has in the contract with Invenergy.
 
“What you need to achieve with wind turbine noise measurements, you are trying to determine the loudest condition.” President of Hankard Environmental, Michael Hankard said.
 
Hankard Environmental conducted the study that showed the sound levels did not exceed 50 decibels.   
 
One resident protested the findings because according to the Supervisors initial conditions, the study needs to be at the house on the property. The study was taken 25 feet away from houses to avoid sound reflection.
 
Many other residents voiced their concerns that the maximum level of sound should be changed to 40 decibels, as the World Health Organization recommends.
 
Michael Hankard answered dozens of questions regarding how the study took place and how the results were reached.
 
Charlie Henery made the motion to hire a peer review of the study, and Greg Koinzen seconded the motion.
 
The board also discussed a permit request for Blackstrap Inc. to have a co-op south of the airport in Neligh. There was a public hearing regarding the issue, but there were no objections.  Charlie Henery made the motion to accept the request as long as they follow the zoning regulations, and Neil Willaby seconded the motion.
 
Antelope County Road Boss Casey Dittrich reviewed the final projects for the year at the meeting. The board discussed what roads have the potential to be ground up and which should be fixed with other measures. Dittrich came prepared with a map of all roads and a history of what has already been done.
 
The meeting ended with property tax protests by Antelope County residents. In every case, the board voted to approve the recommendation of Assessor Kelly Mueller.
 
The next meeting will be on August 2nd.