FREEDOM -- The board of appeals is set to begin hearing arguments on three proposed wind turbines on Thursday.

The first of five scheduled meetings is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. in the basement of the First Congregational Church. A meeting originally scheduled for Friday has been canceled, said Addison Chase, chairman of the appeals board.

Selectmen agreed to hire Waterville attorney Al Stevens to guide the appeals board through its deliberations, Chase said.

The planning board last month approved Portland-based Competitive Energy Services' plan to erect three electricity-generating turbines, each of which would top 390 feet at its highest point. The turbines, which would be built on Beaver Ridge on property leased from Ron Price, could produce up to 10 million kilowatt hours each year, or enough to provide power to about 2,000 homes.

Competitive Energy hopes to complete the roughly $10 million project by the end of 2008.

Steve Bennett and his daughter, Erin Bennett-Wade, who own property that abuts the Beaver Ridge site, have appealed the planning board's decision to allow the turbines.

In a letter to the town, Price argued that the appeal was neither complete, nor on time, and that it should be denied. Price also questioned the validity of a list of additional appellants which he said was submitted after a filing deadline.

The appeals board will consider Price's letter, in addition to what kind of hearing the board must hold, during Thursday's meeting, Chase said.