Falmouth Persist In Hiding Health-Noise Wind Turbine Letter

Why does the Town of Falmouth Continue To Hide This Letter Omitting It From The Town Website and Voters? Why NO apology to the up to 200 residents?

Former Select Board Chairwoman Mary Pat Flynn was notified by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection on May 15, 2012 turbines break noise regulations.

Vestas CEO Engel Ditlev said in 2011 the company does not have the technology to stop the noise. (infra-sound). In 2011 the Chief Executive Officer of Vestas wind company CEO Engel Ditlev wrote a letter to Karen Ellemann about low-frequency noise. The CEO responded that Vestas does not have the technology to stop the noise. Ditlev Engel served as Group Chief Executive Officer and President at Vestas Wind Systems A/S from May 1, 2005 to August 21, 2013 during the Falmouth wind turbine installations.

Health impacts of noise excessive exposure to noise have been shown to cause several health problems. The most common impacts include: Hearing loss (temporary and permanent) and Sleep disturbance.
Exposure to extremely high noise levels at 110 decibels can also cause headaches, irritability, fatigue, constricted arteries, and a weakened immune system.

A group of Falmouth citizens has filed an appeal with the Massachusetts Superior Court over the wind turbines with oral arguments scheduled for October of 2018.

Since the inception of the wind turbines, town officials have worked diligently to hide the Vestas 110 decibel wind turbine noise letter including the current Select Board. The letter along with a KEMA Inc map from 2005 shows noise levels at near 60 decibels at up to 200 residential homes in Falmouth. The town was well aware prior to construction of one turbine that noise levels would be raised above the 10-decibel level.

VESTAS WARNED THE TOWN PRIOR TO CONSTRUCTION THE TURBINES GENERATE 110 DECIBELS OF NOISE RAISING DECIBEL LEVELS NEAR 60 DECIBELS AT RESIDENTIAL HOMES IN RESIDENTIAL LOCATIONS IN FALMOUTH

Noise Warning Letter To Town of Falmouth Hidden From Public :
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)