MORE VOICES ECHO IN FALMOUTH TOWN HALL

MORE VOICES ECHO IN FALMOUTH TOWN HALL
 
I write, as a citizen, to my appointed town officials, intending only to bring news to you all concerning
the important “happening” as of last night. It will have implications!
 
Yesterday, by a vote of approximately 2/3, the Barnstable County Assembly ratified the Minimum Performance 
Standards (MPS) that were previously recommended and approved by the Cape Cod Commission. The Assembly did 
not approve the 65 foot Threshold, the trigger for review by the CCC, but remanded it back to the Commission 
for further study and review. It is expected that a revised version of the Threshold will come back before 
the Assembly within the next 30-45 days.

The provisions of the MPS will now be added to the Regional Policy Plan and the provisions will be applied 
to any project on the Cape which triggers review by the Commission as a Development of Regional Impact (DRI).
 
Even with the failure of the Assembly to approve the Threshold, this vote is a landmark event for the following reasons:
 
-This action implicitly recognizes that large, industrial wind turbines are developments of regional impact
-It vests authority in the Cape Cod Commission to regulate these installations on a regional basis
-It introduces a set of meaningful standards for large wind turbines, including setback provisions and limits on shadow flicker
-For large projects, it requires an independent noise study that will measure infrasound and other aspects of wind turbine noise 
that are potentially harmful
 
This new process plan acknowledges the rights and interests of residents that share neighborhoods with large wind 
turbines.  This said, what bearing should this bold determination have on the considerations of impact from Falmouth’s 
existing municipal and private projects?
 
Obviously, the decision by the regional planning body causes more local work to be done, but for the moment I think 
that we should all feel proud of this result.
 
The newly adopted standards will, indeed, put Falmouth Town Hall on notice, in that existing quasi regulated projects 
will be expected to undergo local review, with an eye toward these new standards and possible revised and or modified 
operating controls.
 
A notable point made by both the CCC and the Assembly, is that large wind projects SHALL submit to substantive public 
hearings. Further evidence supporting the desire of many in Falmouth. The Board of Selectman have regional consent 
and support, as well as local authority, to act in similar fashion.
 
It was the outpouring of public comments and letters, many, many from Falmouth, imploring the Commission and the Assembly 
to show some fundamental decency and respect for the concern of Cape Cod residents and for long cherished values that won 
the day at the Assembly hearing.
 
On this note, with existing large turbines in our town, Falmouth residents can not be marginalized. A need for equal 
representation and treatment carries this new day. This need, this right, is implied by the full faith and support 
of the decree made by the Cape Cod Commission and County Assembly of Delegates.