February 6, 2018
Massachusetts

Falmouth to hire consultant for help in dismantling wind turbine

February 6, 2018 | www.capecod.com

FALMOUTH – The town of Falmouth will seek the help of a consultant to figure out how to comply with an order to dismantle and remove the Wind 1 turbine which was shut down for improper permitting.

The town’s building commissioner Rodman Palmer has directed the town to submit a plan for its dismantling and removal by May 31.

The turbine, which is about 400 feet tall, was shut down in 2015 when the Massachusetts Court of Appeals ruled the turbine could not be used unless it received a special permit from the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals.

“Proper review and analysis of multiple complex alternatives and issues will necessarily require the professional assistance of a qualified engineering consultant or consultants,” said Julian Suso, the town manager, during a recent Board of Selectmen’s meeting.

“I recommend to the board that you so authorize a qualified consultant or consultants to be engaged by the town manager for this purpose.”

Selectmen voted unanimously to hire a consultant with a cost and scope of work to be determined later.

“The wind turbines represent a very significant capital investment by Falmouth taxpayers and retain considerable residual value which the town which the town must responsibly analyze and manage,” Suso said.

Both Wind 1 and Wind 2 turbines have been shut down but Palmer’s order only requires the dismantling of Wind 1.

Suso said it is still possible that Wind 2 could be relocated by special permit under a new zoning bylaw.

Discussion are also underway to determine what to do with the towers which have approval from the Federal Aviation Administration.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2018/02/06/falmouth-to-hire-consultant-for-help-in-dismantling-wind-turbine/