Your FHMNA Board and several Association volunteers have been working diligently over the past several months to educate themselves and structure a plan that represents the wishes of our members relative to the on-boarding of wind farm cables to the Heights Beach and routing them for miles through our neighborhood and beyond. As you may recall, 87% of the respondents to our survey expressed opposition to the Mayflower’s proposal and many voiced strong concerns on multiple fronts.
Our Association is not opposed to clean energy, but Mayflower Wind’s cable routing is misconceived and reflects no concern for our well-being and our community’s interests.
Although the Board has provided you with updates on our website and through emails over the last several months, in our effort to help you understand the magnitude of the problem facing us, as well as the urgency of elevating our community’s awareness, we are providing you this summary of major activities that have been completed or are ongoing.
The FHMNA Board has:
• written our concerns to the town Select Board on 10/5/2020 regarding the health and safety of Mayflower’s proposed plan and test drilling sites at Falmouth Heights Beach
• informed our members at our 2021 Annual Meeting of Mayflower’s intentions and our concerns. Town Manager, Julian Suso, attended and answered some questions on the matter
• reviewed in detail Mayflower’s submittal to the Department of Public Utilities (507 pages) with expertise provided to us by an FHMNA member who is an electrical engineer
• conducted a survey in December 2021 of our membership to determine their wishes
• retained the Boston law firm of Prince, Lobel & Tye, LLP to provide advice and representation on our interests
• developed partnerships with other organizations with similar challenges in seaside communities
• communicated directly, orally and in writing with the Town of Falmouth’s leadership and town meeting members of our concerns
• issued editorials and letters to the Falmouth Enterprise on our Association’s position
• contacted, in writing, the Department of Public Utilities/Energy Facilities Siting Board and expressed our concerns on the Mayflower location decision
• mobilized community awareness by installing close to 100 lawn signs saying “STOP Mayflower Wind in Falmouth Heights” on one side and “In Our Neighborhood” on the other
• updated our FHMNA.org website as necessary, often daily
• attended Mayflower’s informational meetings and submitted questions and concerns
• hired aerial photography of Covell Beach, Centerville’s current on-boarding installation by Vineyard Wind
• have sought out and are currently seeking experts and research documentation on the effects of EMF on the health of both children and adults
This list summarizes our major activities. Much has been done. MUCH MORE needs to be done. Keep in mind, Mayflower Wind is Shell Oil and their resources are unlimited, ours are not. So, if you are as concerned as we are, ask yourself:
What can I do?
Send an Email expressing your opposition to Mayflower Wind’s Proposal to any or all of the email addresses below (a short paragraph or more will be helpful):
selectboard@falmouthma.gov
Robert.j.shea@mass.gov
Dpu.efiling@mass.gov
susan.moran@masenate.gov