Falmouth Officials Hoodwinked Taxpayers Over Wind Turbine

Falmouth Officials Hoodwinked Taxpayers Over Wind Turbine

Town Officials Caused Needless Despotic Pain and Suffering of up to 200 Residential Homes

Falmouth officials over the years have deliberately worked to mislead the taxpayers. These town officials put the failed state commercial wind renewable energy agenda above the health and finances of the town.

There are multiple instances of hidden letters, unposted studies, lost videos, unannounced memos.

Massachusetts taxpayers need answers to why the Town of Falmouth did not turn over all wind turbine documents to the Consensus Building Institute. Why the hidden letters, not posting studies, missing memos, omissions and “lost” videos. The Falmouth Wind Turbine Option Analysis Process (WTOP) was to engage in an open, transparent talks to resolve wind turbine issues at a cost of $388,000.00 to taxpayers.

Falmouth officials along with everyone involved in the construction of the Falmouth Wind 1 turbine were aware before the construction the turbine generated 110 decibels of noise almost double the manufacturer specifications.
Town officials along with various committees appointed by the Select Board were aware of the April 19, 2005 Falmouth Site Screening Report. That report in section 6.2.2 said the town needed a Special Permit to place the wind turbine.

The town bypassed the Special Permit process 240-166 because they knew the installations would fail. They already had the warning letter from Vestas the turbine was 7 decibels higher than the specifications equal to almost double the noise.

Falmouth is ground zero for poorly placed wind turbines in the United States. The tragedy is the mainstream media has selectively left out details and fails to report the truth. The media is biased in favor of commercial wind turbines taking the health and property rights of Massachusetts citizens with no compensation.

Town officials and committees decided to take the health and rights and other freedom of a minority toward some illegitimate “ greater good. ” The town officials are guilty of operating the affairs of an enterprise.

The officials were aware the turbines were too loud before the installations. General Electric a domestic wind turbine company refused to build wind turbines in Falmouth because of setbacks.

Here is the August 3, 2010 letter that reiterates the town was aware the turbines were too loud before the installation:

Vestas raises concerns about turbine noise (Letter)

Bruce Mabbott - August 3, 2010

Impact on People Noise Massachusetts

After noise complaints started coming in following the erection of WIND 1, the first Falmouth turbine at the wastewater treatment facility, Vestas required confirmation that the Town of Falmouth “understands they are fully responsible for the site selection of the turbine and bear all responsibilities to address any mitigation needs of the neighbors.” WIND 2 would not be released to the town for erection until the letter was signed.

“The Town has previously been provided with the Octave Band Data / Sound performance for the V82 turbine. This shows that the turbine normally operates at 103.2dB but the manufacturer has also stated that it may produce up to 110dB under certain circumstances. ”

August 3, 2010
Mr. Gerald Potamis
WasteWater Superintendent
Town of Falmouth Public Works
59 Town Hall Square
Falmouth, MA 02540

RE: Falmouth WWTF Wind Energy Facility II “Wind II”, Falmouth, MA
Contract No. #3297

Dear Mr. Potamis,

Due to the sound concerns regarding the first wind turbine installed at the wastewater treatment facility, the manufacturer of the turbines, Vestas, is keen for the Town of Falmouth to understand the possible noise and other risks associated with the installation of the second wind turbine.

The Town has previously been provided with the Octave Band Data / Sound performance for the V82 turbine. This shows that the turbine normally operates at 103.2dB but the manufacturer has also stated that it may produce up to 110dB under certain circumstances. These measurements are based on IEC standards for sound measurement which is calculated at a height of 10m above of the base of the turbine.

We understand that a sound study is being performed to determine what, if any, Impacts the second turbine will have to the nearest residences. Please be advised that should noise concerns arise with this turbine, the only option to mitigate normal operating sound from the V82 is to shut down the machine at certain wind speeds and directions. Naturally this would detrimentally affect power production.

The manufacturer also needs confirmation that the Town of Falmouth understands they are fully responsible for the site selection of the turbine and bear all responsibilities to address any mitigation needs of the neighbors.

Finally, the manufacturer has raised the possibility of ice throw concerns. Since Route 28 is relatively close to the turbine, precautions should be taken in weather that may cause icing.

To date on this project we have been unable to move forward with signing the contract with Vestas. The inability to release the turbine for shipment to the project site has caused significant [SIC] delays in our project schedule. In order to move forward the manufacturer requires your understanding and acknowledgement of these risks. We kindly request for this acknowledgement to be sent to us by August 4, 2010, as we have scheduled a coordination meeting with Vestas to discuss the project schedule and steps forward for completion of the project.

Please sign in the space provided below to indicate your understanding and acknowledgement of this letter. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me.


Sincerely,

(Bruce Mabbott’s signature)
_____________________
Bruce Mabbott Gerald Potamis
Project Manager Town of Falmouth


CC: Sumul Shah, Lumus Construction, Inc.
(Town of Falmouth’s Wind-1 and Wind-2 Construction contractor)

Stephen Wiehe, Weston & Sampson
(Town of Falmouth’s contract engineers)

Brian Hopkins, Vestas
(Wind-1, Wind-2’s turbine manufacturer, and also Webb/NOTUS turbine)

http://www.windaction.org/posts/41357-vestas-raises-concerns-about-turbine-noise-letter#.VepJkxFVikp