LOCATION/TYPE

NEWS HOME

[ exact phrase in "" • results by date ]

[ Google-powered • results by relevance ]


Archive
RSS

Add NWW headlines to your site (click here)

Get weekly updates

WHAT TO DO
when your community is targeted

RSS

RSS feeds and more

Keep Wind Watch online and independent!

Donate via Paypal

Donate via Stripe

Selected Documents

All Documents

Research Links

Alerts

Press Releases

FAQs

Campaign Material

Photos & Graphics

Videos

Allied Groups

Wind Watch is a registered educational charity, founded in 2005.

News Watch Home

Selectmen propose wind turbine mediation 

Credit:  By CARRIE L. GENTILE | The Falmouth Enterprise | July 29, 2016 | www.capenews.net ~~

Town officials agreed to pursue an alternate path to resolve the numerous wind turbine lawsuits filed against the town by offering mediation to the plaintiffs.

On Monday night, July 25, Board of Selectmen Chairman Douglas H. Jones announced the board had just voted in executive session to authorize Town Manager Julian M. Suso, Town Council Frank A. Duffy Jr. and the town’s insurer, Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association, to participate in mediation with all parties in pending wind turbine litigation to resolve all outstanding suits and claims.

According to Mr. Duffy, there are 11 active suits currently in either Barnstable Superior Court or Massachusetts Land Court.

The suits have been filed by neighbors of the two 1.65 megawatt turbines located at the town’s wastewater plant off Blacksmith Shop Road.

One of the plaintiffs, resident Mark J. Cool, said called the announcement “a good thing.”

“It’s the first time in about six years a more direct channel of communication with the town will be open,” he said.

He filed his suit in 2010 after talks with the town provided no relief from the spinning blades, situated about one-third of a mile from his home, he said. He has experienced a host of symptoms including pressure headaches and loss of sleep. He and some neighbors combined their respective suits and now there are eight plaintiffs on his suit alone.

Mr. Jones said it is time to look at another solution.

“The board feels the litigation process has been going on long enough,” he said, noting it is not the first time the town has made offers to plaintiffs that were rejected.

“I am hopeful for a speedy resolution.”

The town’s insurer indicated they would be make a monetary contribution toward a resolution, just how much is yet to be decided, Mr. Duffy said.

Christopher Senie, attorney representing several of the plaintiffs, has already agreed to begin the negotiations, said Mr. Duffy.

The next step is a conference call with all the attorneys involved that is scheduled for early next week. Eventually, the parties need to agree on a mediator and who will represent each side during the talks.

The 397-foot tall turbines were erected between 2010 and 2011 to power the wastewater facility and produce renewable energy credits. But neighbors have complained about adverse health effects and devaluing of their properties and have pursued many options to get them to stop spinning.

However, it could cost up to $15 million to shutter them, considering repayment of a grant and loan, loss of renewable credit income and loss of energy.

Currently, Wind 1 is shut down following a Falmouth Zoning Board of Appeals cease and desist order. Wind 2 is operating on a curtailed half-time schedule resulting from a 2013 Barnstable Superior Court order that stated the turbines were a nuisance to neighbors, who claim the turbines produce ill health effects and devalue their property.

Source:  By CARRIE L. GENTILE | The Falmouth Enterprise | July 29, 2016 | www.capenews.net

This article is the work of the source indicated. Any opinions expressed in it are not necessarily those of National Wind Watch.

The copyright of this article resides with the author or publisher indicated. As part of its noncommercial educational effort to present the environmental, social, scientific, and economic issues of large-scale wind power development to a global audience seeking such information, National Wind Watch endeavors to observe “fair use” as provided for in section 107 of U.S. Copyright Law and similar “fair dealing” provisions of the copyright laws of other nations. Send requests to excerpt, general inquiries, and comments via e-mail.

Wind Watch relies entirely
on User Funding
   Donate via Paypal
(via Paypal)
Donate via Stripe
(via Stripe)

Share:

e-mail X FB LI TG TG Share


News Watch Home

Get the Facts
CONTACT DONATE PRIVACY ABOUT SEARCH
© National Wind Watch, Inc.
Use of copyrighted material adheres to Fair Use.
"Wind Watch" is a registered trademark.

 Follow:

Wind Watch on X Wind Watch on Facebook

Wind Watch on Linked In Wind Watch on Mastodon