Streaked Mountain in Buckfield and Mollyockett Mountain in Sumner are being considered for wind turbines.

Buckfield has signed a permit for a meteorological test tower to be placed on the side of Streaked Mountain on private land. The town needs to have Planning Board approval for the test site. The test tower will be used for more than a year to find out how much wind is actually at the site.

James Parker of Buckfield said his house is only 1,800 feet from the site of the test tower and his property line is only 1,200 feet away. He said he is concerned about the health of his family. He cites a story in the Sun Journal from March 26, which said some doctors wanted more research done on the effects of the turbines on people’s health.

According to Parker, the noise from the turbines can cause insomnia, raise blood pressure, create headaches, cause emotional problems and other health problems.

Dr. Dora Mills, director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, agrees with former Gov. Angus King that distance from the turbines is the key.

If the test tower proves there is enough wind power, then Kean Project Engineering of Turner is set to put up the turbines. Town Manager Glen Holmes said the value to the town would be significant. The three towers would be worth about $3 million each in property value.

The Sumner proposal is different because the site is on town land off Redding Road. It would take town approval for the meteorological tower to be erected.

Selectman Mark Silber said the land has to be cleared of small trees. Even before that is done, the town would have to approve funds to have the land surveyed. Silber said it will be a year and a half before they will know if there is enough wind power to make it profitable.

According to Silber, the energy generated from the towers would go into a power grid which could benefit the town by cutting power costs.

Silber said most people have been supportive because the closest house to the site is 1 mile and the sound cannot be heard farther than 1,000 feet.

Silber said that, so far, the feelings of the town have been positive to the turbines.

David O’Brien of Redding Road said in an e-mail sent to all town officials that he is opposed to the project and will explore all options to block it.

“I will expend every ounce of energy and all my financial resources to make sure this does not happen,” he said.

Sumner will hold a town meeting June 23 to vote on funds for the test tower.