The Wind Turbine Bailout: Tailoring Principles around Green

Being responsible is having an obligation to do something, and being businesslike is carrying out a task efficiently without being distracted by personal concerns.


This would seem a coldly practical and systematic way to discern the duty of a Town Meeting member. After all, TM’s primary obligation is to efficiently fund the town’s budget. Interwoven with how it's done however, is a balancing with canons of reason. More often than not, we pick up the phone and make a donation to a “BostonStrong”- like cause when our frugal side knows we can’t afford it.  TM is no different. Cold calculations are warmed against personal and community principle and values.



A recent example, 2010 TM dealt with the ‘dirty’ water issue on Siders Pond Road. Selectmen recommended indefinite postponement citing inadequate funds. Speaking for the board,Mr. Putnam said the board relies on the DPW to properly prioritize projects. They are the professionals and we have to defer to them and their expertise in this situation. Current selectmen Mr. Jones, speaking then as a TM member, asked whether Town Meeting were responsible enough to make a decision based on what we think is right? Assistant Town Manager Ms. Harper told TM that town staff has heard the discussion, but she wanted TM to use their head and not their heart.

Ultimately the hearts upheld the simple basic right to have clean water.  Just as with the responsibilities attached to Article 25, TM is obliged to consider contextual ethical standing, in addition to fiduciary responsibility, to their neighbors. “All the strings attached” to this wind turbine subsidy agreement require scrutiny on Town Meeting floor.

As we try to fix Falmouth’s backbone, it shall require more than just money. The more responsible and better businesslike investment is a larger commitment to community integrity, character and compassion.  The solid foundations of which will serve us well beyond FY31!