FALMOUTH TURBINE "EXECUTIVE SESSION" MONDAY 4 PM

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court denied a petition by the town of Falmouth to review a zoning case concerning the town’s controversial wind turbines.

The health and property rights of your neighbors have been taken for “the good of a select very few. “

Note # The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center is paying the town litigation fees and not the victims. They are in the process of victimizing the residents again.

“With this funding, MassCEC seeks to help the town recover costs associated with project curtailment. To date the town has incurred unexpected costs resulting from community concerns, voluntary reductions in operation due to unanticipated sound levels and related litigation.”

http://www.masscec.com/news/energy-officials-approve-relief-funding-falmouth-community-wind-project

The town had always known the turbines were too loud. The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, Vestas and all the wind turbine contractors also were aware.

The Falmouth Select Board owes an explanation to the public about the Vestas Wind Company noise warning letter dated August 3, 2010. Vestas the manufacturer warned the town prior to the wind turbine installations that the turbines create 110 decibels of noise almost twice the specifications.

The Town of Falmouth made wind turbine victims file certified written noise complaints knowing all the time about the warning letter only recently released through the FOIA, Freedom of Information Act.

TOWN OF FALMOUTH

BOARD OF SELECTMEN
AGENDA
MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2015 – 4:00 P.M.
SELECTMEN’S MEETING ROOM


4:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER

EXECUTIVE SESSION
- M.G.L. c. 30A s. 21(a)(3) – Litigation – Discussion - Wind Turbines

Mission Statement for The Board of Selectmen
To provide strong community leadership to ensure a high quality of life through the promotion of:

• Professional, quality and accountable service
• Responsiveness to community issues and concerns
• Growth management
• Long-term financial stability
• An atmosphere for a good local economy
• Environmental stewardship

We’re committed to engaging all segments of our diverse community and promoting Town-wide consensus and unity of purpose.

http://www.falmouthmass.us/agenda.php?depkey=selectmen&number=7348

Falmouth Knew About Wind Turbine Noise Prior To Construction :

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#.VRKmG_nF9-c