"As the Turbine Turns" - A Cape Cod Town's Wind-Opera

The Board of Health member asked, during board only discussion, "Given the evidence to date and the studies, what would compel the Board of Health to act or not?”

Just so we’re on the same page, let's review what the Massachusetts General Laws say about local Boards of Health. 

“Boards of Health are held responsible for disease prevention and control, and health and environmental protection and promoting a healthy community. To fulfill their duties, they develop, implement and enforce health policies, oversee inspections to maintain minimum standards for sanitation in housing and food service, and assure that the basic health needs of their community are being met.”

I'm certain that it's plainly understood that 'sleep' fits the catagory of a "basic health need."

So... the Board Member's more articulate question could read ~ "Is there evidence to date, and studies, that indicate that basic health needs of residents around the controversial wind turbines ARE NOT being met?"

The wind revenue or deficit, global warming effect, what 5 local doctors say, fossil fuel health woes, the need for alternative energy, whether the May vote was for or against the our turbines, the intent of the new wind turbine bylaw, the validity of Wind Turbine Syndrome, The irritation of 'come-&-go' traffic noise on Woods Hole Road.  None of these have anything to do with the basic health need of residents around the controversial wind turbines.

Here is the evidence and studies, pertinent to Falmouth, to date. 

EVIDENCE - The BoH has an extensive complaint log and public testimony regarding sleep disturbance.  The volume and dispersion of complaints are evidenced to have manifested only after April 2010.  April 6, 2010 is the date Wind 1 became operational. 

STUDIES - The DEP/DPH Expert Panel concluded wind turbines can cause sleep disturbance. 

STUDIES -  MassDEP tested sound level violations at night at 211 Blacksmith Shop Rd.  

STUDIES -  State professional acoustic consultant predicted, during the Wind Turbine Options Process (WTOP), that operating both town turbines increases the potential likelihood of increased sleep disturbances of neighbors beyond the MassDEP testing hours.

EVIDENCE - Board of Health affirmed significant sleep disturbance rate decreases from the complaint log when turbines were off for 12 hours. 

STUDIES - Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), a division of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), states that less than 10 hours of sleep per day for children is unhealthy.  (http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dph/programs/community-health/mass-in-motion/kids-health/)

EVIDENCE - The Board of Selectmen’s sleep allocation does not met basic health needs of impacted neighborhood children.

To be clear, the Board of Health, on November 4 will be weighing the evidence and the studies against this simple question...

~ Is there evidence to date, and studies, that indicate that basic health needs of residents around the controversial wind turbines ARE NOT being met?

The assembled local evidence and the studies relevant to Falmouth’s particular situation speaks for themselves.  Our children, if for no other reason, should compel the Board of Health to err on the side of caution while complying with the guidance from the Executive Office of Health and Human Services.