Neighbor News
Falmouth Wind Turbines A Dumb Bet With Taxpayers Funds
"We took on a huge risk and I think we were successful but we're a large community and I think we can take on that risk,"
Former Acting Falmouth Town Manager Heather Harper September 10, 2010 : "We took on a huge risk and I think we were successful but we're a large community and I think we can take on that risk," observed Falmouth assistant town manager Heather Harper.
Find out what's happening in Falmouthfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
In the picture Falmouth Select Board Chair and Member Mary Pat Flynn also served the Town of Falmouth for over two decades during the wind turbine health and financial fiasco. The courts shut down the nuisance turbines in June of 2017.
Everyone (that is everyone) including town officials knew before the installations the turbines were too loud they had been notified in 2005 by the KEMA Inc study map showing any type megawatt wind turbine was too loud. They needlessly gambled your health and property. You kept re-electing them anyway.
Find out what's happening in Falmouthfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Assistant Falmouth Town Manager Heather B. Harper served as wind turbine project's manager and by November of 2010 was acting Town Manager.
In August of 2010 prior to the announcement the town was well aware of the risk announced by assistant town manager Heather Harper
Town of Falmouth received a letter from Vestas wind company stating they had previously been warned the town the turbines they purchased are twice as loud as General Electric turbines. General Electric refused to build a single wind turbine because of residential setbacks and ice throw.
The letter remains hidden today by embarrassed town officials for 9 years :
"turbine normally operates at 103.2dB but the manufacturer has also stated that it may produce up to 110dB"
August 3, 2010
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
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
