Falmouth SB Credibility To Dog Wind Turbine Special Permit Appeal

Falmouth Land Court Wind Turbine Appeal Thwarted By Amsler Letter

The chairman of Falmouth's energy committee, Megan Amsler, in 2013 begged the state's energy secretary Richard Sullivan not to help remove the wind turbines. Richard Koehler, who served on Falmouth's energy committee, at that time said he agreed with Amsler, and believes the state should not help Falmouth fund the removal of the turbines. These Falmouth residents are appointed by the Falmouth Select Board.

A review of the March 26, 2013 Falmouth Energy Committee minutes shows : 7. "Megan explained the letter was sent by her as a private citizen, not as the chair of the energy committee. It was incorrectly reported in the local press."
http://www.falmouthmass.us/meeting.php?depkey=energy&number=5503

In a recent Freedom of Information Act Request it to the Massachusetts Office of Environmental Affairs it shows: Megan Amsler Chair, Falmouth Energy Committee a member of Friends of Falmouth Wind did in fact sign the letter.

The local press was correct.

Megan Amsler Chair, Falmouth Energy Committee is appointed by the Falmouth Select Board and remains there today. Appointed officials reflect the views of the Select Board.

Megan Amsler 2013 quote : "So, please do not provide funding to Falmouth to remove the turbines at the wastewater treatment facility"

The Town of Falmouth filed its appeal of the ZBA wind turbine decision in Massachusetts Land Court on Thursday, April 28, 2016. The Falmouth ZBA refused to issue a Special Permit for Falmouth wind turbine number 1. The turbine is shut down.

Selectmen Chairman Douglas H. Jones said in a statement at the start of the board's open meeting last week : "We find it is in the community's best interest to protect this major public investment. "

In 2013 the Select Board did not want the state to help take down the turbines and now the board wants the Massachusetts Land Court to believe 6 years of hidden and omitted documents ?

Massachusetts Land Court Judge Robert Foster will have to deal with a signed letter by Megan Amsler Chair, Falmouth Energy Committee who was appointed by the Falmouth Select Board asking in 2013 not to help finance the removal of the turbines.

Now in 2016 the Falmouth Select Board is in land court telling the court of a financial hardship placing wind turbines with no Special Permits placing the health and saftey of the public at risk.

The judge should also be made aware of the noise warnings prior to the installations of these turbines also found through the Freedom of Information Act. In addition the omission of memos, wind study documents, letters and maps not posted on the Falmouth town web site

Megan Amsler March 2013 Freedom of Information Act Request EOEEA

Richard K. Sullivan Jr.
Secretary,
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
100 Cambridge Street,
Suite 900
Boston, MA 02114
March 4th, 2013

Dear Secretary Sullivan,

I am writing to you to express my support for the Falmouth Wind Turbine project to remain intact. I am sure that your office, along with the Governor's office, and the Mass CEC, has been hearing from the opponents of wind who are demanding that the project be removed.

I wanted to be sure you know that there is a silent majority out in Falmouth that does support the project, along with the Town's work to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Many of the residents in Falmouth support the project, but are not willing to speak out in favor of the wind turbines, as it is construed as being against the neighbors; a personal affront. Our decision-makers have been unfairly bullied and harassed for too long over this.

I know that the Town of Falmouth has requested assistance from the State to help resolve the turbine issue. After sitting on the CBI Wind Turbine Options panel for 24 or so meetings,(generously funded by the State) as well as being the chair of the Falmouth Energy Committee since its establishment in 2002, lam very familiar the options for alleviating the neighbors' issues and their lack of willingness to compromise for a resolution. Taking the turbines down is not a viable option for the Town.

The wind turbines are good for the Town in so many ways. It provides clean electricity to the wastewater treatment facility, helps to stabilize the Town's electricity costs, provides a revenue stream and reduces
greenhouse gas emissions, which is something that the Falmouth Selectmen pledged to do in 2008. We even chose municipal ownership to keep more of the tangible benefits of the project in our local economy.

The fact that the Commonwealth offered Falmouth so much support and assistance during the long, 9-year, development process for the project is a testament to the unyielding belief that clean energy is needed for our future. This project went before Town Meeting seven different times and was never voted down. It is a good project for Falmouth.

I am ashamed that the Town has even deigned to ask the State for aid in removing the turbines because they bother 19 people within 1/3 of a mile. Please do not set a precedent by helping our community remove them. The implications for the entire global wind industry would be dire.

Falmouth needs more ciean energy, not less! So, please do not provide funding to Falmouth to remove the turbines at the wastewater treatment facility. We need those turbines to remain in place and run as they were intended.

Be well.

Sincerely,

Megan Amsler
Chair, Falmouth Energy Committee
Friends of Falmouth Wind
Secretary, Small Wind Certification Council
Adjunct Faculty, Cape Cod Community College, Renewable Energy Sources
Executive Director, Cape & Islands Self-Reliance

Received
MAR 07 2013
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS