1) After The FHMNA Board of Directors canvassed our members (86% of those who responded said NO to cables transiting the Heights), we have taken a stand to play an active role in blocking cables transiting through the most densely populated section of our town.
2) We recently sent to about 300 Town Meeting Members the following letter, written by FHMNA President Dave Buzanoski, with significant input from the entire Board of Directors.
3) Below the FHMNA letter are a number of responses from Town Meeting members as of 2/13/22.
FYI: Falmouth Heights is in Precinct 2.
Letter distributed a few weeks ago:
Dear Falmouth Town Meeting Member,
We are writing to you on behalf of the membership of the Falmouth Heights – Maravista Neighborhood Association to register our strong opposition to the current plan of Mayflower Wind’s routing high-voltage power cables through our town. Perhaps you have read or already attended sessions on this very subject. Their proposal will onboard cables carrying up to 1200 megawatts that will traverse one of the most densely populated residential and historic communities in Falmouth and also includes Jones Road and Gifford Streets while passing a school, a nursing home, an Inn, a hotel, and other residential neighborhoods.
In calling your attention to this matter, while we are not opposed to clean energy, we do, however, object to the backroom planning process and subsequent reviews that appear to have put this project on a ‘fast-track’, with potentially long-term negative consequences. This engagement should be a town-wide concern. Falmouth Heights Beach, as well as Worcester and Central Parks are community gems, long the site for numerous well-known events that are well attended and that serve all ages throughout the year.
Our objections include the following:
1) Insufficient attention to the consequences of projected zoning variances, which will have an adverse effect on land used for public recreation, quiet enjoyment, and the welfare of the general public.
2) Failure to be transparent about the findings of an independent consultant that is reviewing the long-term health effects of high voltage cables and the associated electronic magnetic fields in close proximity to children and general populations.
3) The questionable activities of Mayflower Wind in holding private meetings with town leadership on hosting fees for this engagement prior to any public forum, debate or vote via Town Meeting.
We therefore request, as our elected representative, that you ensure a fair and transparent review process of these issues and others that should be raised in an open forum and not controlled by those whose financial interests may benefit from this project. We ask for your support in upcoming public forums and town meetings. The goal should be a thorough and balanced review of this initiative that takes into account the perspectives of all stakeholders, including the residents and voters of Falmouth.
At your convenience, see our website that includes numerous articles on this matter at FHMNA.org.
Sincerely,
David Buzanoski, President
Falmouth Heights – Maravista Neighborhood Association
Town Meeting Representatives’ responses as of 2/10/22
From Charles M. Rader, Falmouth, Precinct 2:
I am not at all satisfied with how the town of Falmouth has dealt with this issue. I am very much in favor of having the sustainable wind energy available, and soon, but I think the town’s leadership has been neglecting its opportunity, and responsibility, to get the best result for the town.
I hope there is some opportunity for this to come before town meeting. I don’t know if that will happen, because the deadline for putting articles on the warrant has passed. However, I think there should be adequate time to choose a better onshoring plan without delaying the project.
I am not a member of the town’s energy advisory committee but I attend every one of their meetings (thanks to Zoom) and I can report to you that the Energy Committee is both in favor of the Nantucket Sound wind energy opportunity, and also in favor of Falmouth making a good agreement with Mayflower Wind about how and where the power comes ashore. We have the advantage of seeing how Hyannis interacted with Mayflower, and we certainly should be able to do as well as Hyannis did.
I don’t like the Mayflower onshoring plan, and I don’t like that the company proposed only the one alternative! Mayflower may consider that the best alternative for the company, but I doubt that it is the best alternative for the town.
But I have to honestly say that I am unhappy with what I have seen from some of the opponents of the proposed Mayflower plan. I am bothered by the stuff I am hearing about the dangers of electromagnetic fields. It has no basis. (If it did have a basis, it would be dangerous to move any electric power from one place to another.) We should be much more focused on how the project will disrupt our traffic and on how some of our neighborhoods may be damaged by the construction!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and count me as a supporter.
From John Barkley, East Falmouth, Precinct 8:
Thank you for sending this input.
I appreciate the views of the residents in the area and will keep this in mind when voting on upcoming articles.
From Lillia Frantin, North Falmouth, Precinct 5:
I’m a Precinct 5 Town Meeting representative and agree not only ‘transparency’ but full public forums and feedback from the public is something we should we expect and demand—We expect ADEQUATE opportunity for input & discussion and enough time to digest and consider any actions & decisions about what the town (Select Board, Town Manager, etc) proposes taking on our behalf–on this and any & all projects that affect our communities, families & neighbors.
Protecting our quality of life is important, not only for our present but our future. We have learned the hard way when decisions are made with out enough information, decisions made without early & ongoing public input and involvement-decisions made too quickly and without emphasis on forward thinking. We need to avoid trying to ‘undo’ problems that might have been prevented from happening if adequate consideration was appropriately made in the first place.
Thank you for being actively involved citizens,
From Bob Antonucci, West Falmouth, Precinct 6:
Thanks for your informative email with the many details associated with the project. I will definitely review all aspects before making any kind of decision. I appreciate your interest and willingness to present compelling rationale.
From Leslie Lichtenstein, North Falmouth, Precinct 8:
I share your concerns. Ron who is also a town meeting member has some interesting info in his last farm newsletter I’m forwarding to you.
From Linda (Lin) Whitehead, Falmouth, Precinct 1:
Thank you for your letter. I agree that a thorough review of all transactions and complete research of the repercussions of this project if it were to be approved should be completed.
From Ron Smolowitz, East Falmouth, Precinct 8:
I have been involved with this offshore wind since 1996. I don’t know about the private meeting issue but the other two objections have been voiced before with mixed results as the evidence is mixed. I think the best argument is for consolidated cables. I have attached my farm newsletter with some links.
From Christine Uljua, East Falmouth, Precinct 8:
Am in receipt of your concerns and opposition. Best regards.
From Karen Bissonnette, Falmouth, Precinct 2:
Thank you for this letter and the information. I, too, would like this process to be transparent and will pay close attention to this issue. Please free to pass along any more information you ascertain.
From Mary Barry, Falmouth (Belvidere), Precinct 2:
I wish the Association would also voice opposition to the alternative Surf Drive site and Mill Road. Either are inappropriate in my opinion. I am watching this closely. Thank you,
From Karen Heylin, Falmouth Heights, Precinct 2:
You have my support.