Well seems like I missed the thunderstorm last night. I least I think there was one. Saw a post or two on facebook about it. Went out this morning and it sure looked like it had rained. I may not sleep long but when I do, a little noise doesn't usually wake me.
I suppose it is from getting use to the noise I hear while awake.
Speaking of noise, tonight's selectmen's meeting will be interesting as far as the noise that will reverberate through the room once they decide how they will rearrange the furniture, for the tourism department.
Assuming they will decide what they want to do. I mean this will only be what, the third or fourth meeting on the issue. Certainly an issue that has been debated for a decade deserves more than just three or four meetings to discuss and deliberate.
This is serious business. A move of tourism into Town Hall could result in three other departments being affected. I mean certainly it takes time to plan out such a massive disruption.
Measurements need to be taken. Over and over again. Might need need drapes or something, you know.
You got to plan out the switch of telephone lines, make sure you have the appropriate IT hookups, etc.
Oh wait, you might not have to do that at all.
Certainly not right away. You still have have five months to deal with the issue.
But there is hope! At 6:45 P.M. tonight the office of tourism move is a scheduled appointment on the selectmen's agenda!
Staying with the noise concept ...
Based on what I have been able to gather in the press and elsewhere, the state study on the wind turbines is moving forward, slowly, but forward. the most intriguing things coming out of this is the bits and pieces one gathers from reading and elsewhere concerning "what is the town going to do to compensate me if there is no violation?"
I would be interested in hearing from folks of what they think should be done in that event.
Speaking of things that should be done ...
The intersection at Bridge and Alden. Soon!
If the reworked intersection functions as well as what was done at Main/Adams/Howland Road it will have been worth the wait.
Another hats off to the Bi-Centennial Committee for the Family Fun Day. It has been a good effort with positive results by the committee to celebrate Fairhaven's 200th anniversary. This is a pretty unique town in many ways folks. Diverse sections, a mix of urban, residential, rural, coastal.
We are kind of like one of those recipes where you look at the list of ingredients you might shake your head and say it will never work, but when you mix it all together, you find a dish that does in fact come off.
Just a thought.
I bought my home in an area where I hear noise day and night from I-195, Rte 6 and the working waterfront....shouldn't I be compensated too?
ReplyDeleteI think it would open Pandora's box to begin to compensate people if no violations are found. I whole-heartedly sympathize with anyone living near the turbines. I believe that some of them experience negative effects from the noise, and other factors. I don't think everyone can simply "adjust" to the situation. Some things DO affect some people, while not others. And I also don't believe that everyone who has filed a complaint is doing it because they have 'time of their hands.' I wish the turbines had been placed somewhere else. I wish the process had been done differently. But if these people were compensated (and by who?) where would compensation end for anyone who opposes any project? And who would set the amount of that compensation? A lot of questions to answer.
ReplyDeleteThoughtful and reasonable response Michelle. Diane - your comments re: the turbine issue always come off as sour - why the chip? Seriously.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, why do anonymous posters think that remarks such as that should be taken seriously? My name is stated on all of my opinions because I've not written anything I would be embarrassed or afraid to say in a face to face encounter. However, I shall seek to enlighten you anonymous one.
DeleteWhat you call a sour chip is actually a legitimate question in order to point out the fact that we all live with sound, some audible some otherwise. I purchased my home in a location that is near or adjacent to the highways and waterfront. Had I bought my home 50 years ago or it had been willed to me by a previous generation, would I be entitled to compensation because of the 24 hour a day traffic noise from I-195 because it was put through our town after I took residence? If you purchase a home near or adjacent to land that is zoned for sewer treatment plants or the possible placement or other things industrial, you might need to consider that some day your quality of life may be impacted in what you deem an negative way. When a person lives in a home that had been in the family for generations or was purchased prior to the land adjacent or near them was re-zoned for industrial purposes, they should maybe consider paying closer attention to the happenings on that land.
Having said that, I do know how frustrating it can be when you have to make time on a monthly, weekly and sometimes daily basis in order to stay on top of the issues that concern you and your family's quality of life. Despite the fact that I have been falsely labeled as obsequious when it comes to school related matters, I have had to devote countless hours for the better part of a decade in order to stay in the loop on the issues that affect my sons' education. It would be so much easier if Town officials would make more of an effort to communicate in more effective manners given the types of electronic gadgets available today. Better yet, it would be ideal if our town had the budget to do weekly mass mailings to all of our homes because many people do not communicate electronically. Alas, our laws state otherwise and, just like in the olden days, blurbs in local papers (that many don't read due to the internet) or postings at Town Hall (which many don't have time to seek out regularly) are about all we can expect in the way of prior notice.
Just my opinion Diane. I follow this blog and notice any turbine related comment you make seems to have a twinge of sarcasm and you scoff at the fact that some may be suffering. You have lumped all who have complained into the Windwise group and lumped all of Windwise members as one and the same. How do you feel about the kids who live out in Peirces Pt. who miss a good night sleep because of these things towering over head? Who should be their ambassador?
DeleteYou seem to be a great advocate for autism awareness which is wonderful because the autism spectrum disorder has great range and much the science remains a mystery still to be studied. More awareness helps foster more sensitivity towards the children, adults and families who are touched by the disorder. Autism Speaks will continue to help raise funds for more studies which will hopefully unlock some of the secrets behind the disorders.
The effects of industrial turbines also have lots of mystery behind them - affecting some and not others. As time goes on hopefully we will continue to learn more although not sure the funding will be there as high for that science. However, my point is that there are a lot of unknowns just like with autism and you would think you might have a little more sympathy. How about the people who are try to communicate their ill effects from the turbines and people ridiculing them as a result. This feels so wrong to me. How about you?
State and National green politics play a huge role in pushing the turbines through in places they probably shouldn't be. Obviously Falmouth has had evolving problems with their turbines (Fairhaven's initial vote for the turbines was loooong before this came out) but unfortunately Fairhaven forged ahead despite the huge red flag warning. Yes there was a contract - but at what price - do we even know? We is known is that a private developer will be making loads of money while Fairhaven might save $20 per year per Fairhaven resident per year (although no one has yet to actually publish the savings even though they have been up and running for a few months - wonder why).
Finally - you may not respect my comments as I choose to remain anonymous. I really wish I could speak my mind and write letters to the papers because I believe there are many more likeminded Fairhaven folks as me. However, I need to go in front of some of the town boards in the future and am unfortunately afraid of any repurcussions based on politics. Just my reasoning of why staying anonymous on certain issues feels like the prudent choice.
Okay, there will be no more tit for tat. this particular chain is over. People want to enter into personal one on one debates, try a different place.
DeleteWe have all lost value in our homes from the recent economic downturn. Why should anyone be burdened with another loss when a government can come in and potentially impose upon its citizenship its free will for the betterment of the whole at the cost of a few. I'm sorry, I just don't get it. If property values fall more than a neighborhood removed from the turbines, there is a financial burden placed on the home owners, regardless of the decrease in their property taxes. What about their hard earned nest egg being cracked?
ReplyDelete