This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

THE YEAR'S WINDSTORM EVENTS/ LOCAL DAMAGE - A REVIEW

The most reliable way to forecast the future is to try to understand the present ~ J. Naisbitt

Falmouth Massachusetts ~

JAN

- The 'Wind Turbine Options Process' panel, after eight months reviewing information, deliver their report to the Falmouth Board of Selectmen.

Find out what's happening in Falmouthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

- Selectmen unanimously vote to support Town Meeting warrant article asking town voters to fund removal of town’s turbines.

- State Department of Public Health (MassDPH), without warning, abandons Falmouth’s Board of Health and the board’s request for wind turbine impact assessment assistance.  No definitive reason offered.

Find out what's happening in Falmouthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

- Town Manager, during FY14 budget presentation to Finance Committee, reports that the 12 hour OFF operating model is financially unsustainable.  Town Manager states that if allowed to continue, it will bankrupt the town.

FEB

- State Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)  advises that the State will be considering turbine-specific noise regulations.

MAR

- Falmouth’s Energy Committee breaks ranks with town policy and protocol and asks state’s energy secretary not to help pay to take down the town’s two wind turbines.

APR

- At spring Town Meeting, voters approved a Wind Turbine Bylaw that dramatically reduces the size of wind turbines allowed in Falmouth.

MAY

- Town ballot fails. 2 out of 3 voters are unwilling to fund removal of the town’s turbines.

- Falmouth Zoning Board of Appeals finds Wind 1 and Wind 2 are “offensive, obnoxious and objectionable” and are deemed a private nuisance. 

JUNE

- Falmouth Board of Selectmen votes to appeal, in Barnstable Superior Court, the Zoning Board of Appeal’s decision that the town-owned wind turbines are a nuisance. 

- Senate President Therese Murray sponsors a bill to help Falmouth borrow funds to remove the controversial wind turbines. 

JULY

- Falmouth residents testify before the State Joint Committee on Public Health urging lawmakers to do a thorough, scientific study on the effects of wind turbines on humans.

- Falmouth Board of Health votes to support a bill filed by State Representative Sarah K. Peake (D-Provincetown), that would create a commission to investigate health impacts on individuals living within proximity of wind turbines in Massachusetts.

AUG

- Falmouth Board of Selectmen receive the Wind Turbines Alternative Report from Town Manager.  The report frames assumptions operating town turbines at at least 76% of their combined capacity each day (to generate $1.6 million to $3.8 million in revenue cumulatively between FY15 and FY25, according to town estimates).  Mitigation addressing neighbor’s adverse impacts is conditioned to be more protective of project profitability.

SEPT

- Falmouth Board of Health submit cautionary letter regarding turbine operation hour modification.  Warn Selectmen that local observations (May 24, 2012 testimonials) are consistent with state Wind Turbine Health Impact Study conclusions. Healthy Sleep period mandated.

- Falmouth Board of Selectmen vote an eight (8) hour shutoff model per day.  New wind turbine operation model is conditional on State financial aid. No response from State.

NOV

- Superior Court judge issues injunction order requiring Falmouth to return immediately to daily 12 hour shutoff model.  Court further stipulates Sundays and Holidays turbines to be shut down. 75 days given before mitigation effectiveness review by Court.

- Town of Falmouth and 16 turbine neighbors begin official  ‘Settlement Agreement’ negotiations.  Conditions are designed to end all outstanding zoning and nuisance claims against the town and provide relief to 16 turbine neighbors.

DEC

- Town’s Zoning Board of Appeals find Wind 1 and Wind 2, are “offensive, obnoxious and objectionable” in another private nuisance hearing.  Zoning Enforcement Officer directed to mitigate nuisance condition.

Wind’s Fiscal Damage Forecast - If permanent protocol remains 12 hour shutoff model, the Town’s projection of $6,296,673.00 wind project deficit through FY2025 will equate to a $524,722.00 annual deficit.  Financial projection does not include Sunday and Holiday injunction conditions if regulated to remain permanent.

HAPPY NEW YEAR
We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?