I intended to do more on the election issue today, but a few postings seen online have but that on the back burner.
Apparently the turbines were spinning last night.
There will be a few spinning wheels in town today too I imagine. For some period of time I think.
The concept "Because I said so" might work with children and even some adults, but isn't going to make anyone with a team of lawyers smarter than a 5th grader cower in fright.
What might concern them is the 30 day notice thingy. I seriously doubt though anyone on the developers side is shaking in their boots over the edict from the Board of Health.
Over and over again the refrain is there is a right way and a wrong way. Over and over again, despite easily purchased road maps for such journeys, some town officials would rather map out their own course.
Using a two dimensional map to do so is going to land you in a quagmire.
The shortest distance between two points is no doubt a straight line. It is not however always the quickest way to span that distance. Never forget there are reasons some roads intended to get you from point A to point B do not always run in a straight line. Of course given recent events, this is like saying lock the barn after the horse has escaped.
Listen folks, everyone wrapped up in this process by now should know exactly what needs to be done to accomplish their goals. They should all be aware, should have been aware long ago, of the steps that have to be taken to get there.
I understand the fact that most people who aren't "involved" in the process might not understand what actually is required to not only issue such edicts, but to enforce them. I get that. It is a difficult enough process to wade through if you "involved"; but if you are involved ... well perhaps that is for another day.
Do not however expect instantaneous compliance with any order such as that issued by the Board of Health. A whole lot of people seem to claim knowledge of just what the B of H can and cannot do. Well then, they should also be aware of just how the B of H has to go about enforcing cease and desist orders.
Decisions were made. Two boards by majority vote "untied". Obviously aggressive action is going to be needed to "enforce" the cease and desist. Before you do that, I ask you to please look at the legitimate prospects of being able to do so.
If it is believed no errors were made; if it is believed that the order issued can be enforced then I truly and sincerely say go for it.
Will we be seeing an "emergency" meeting any time soon I wonder?
As I tried to briefly explain to someone after Monday's meeting the "ask for forgiveness" concept (Tuesday's post), it just doesn't work that way in these situations. I know I didn't do a good job of it at the time. Won't do a good job of it here either.
Given current events, does anyone see the irony in the argument that ignoring procedure and protocol by government is okay sometimes?
If you don't, no explanation about the "ask for forgiveness" argument will help. If you do, no explanation is needed.
Heres one for you, dont bite your nose to spite your face... another.. you cant walk back over burned bridges.... Now, while the 100 or so people of Windwise I am sure see this as a win, I would like to know what the other 15,000 residents of Fairhaven see it as. Not only did majority vote to put the turbines up, TWICE, the majority will shoulder the burden should the developer choose to take the legal route. So shall the majority take the hit in the tax dollars lost. I do not see anywhere where the only people who will be burdened with the lost revinues and services( if it comes to that) will be those who complained. Nor should it. However, since the masses chose to erect them and reap the benefits of them, the masses should be the ones who decide when the switch is on and off, not 100 people in a group, of whom only 4 have legitimate issues.
ReplyDeleteI don't see how anyone, Windwise or other, considers this a win. They must realize it's only a temporary reprieve, full knowing the war is far from over.
ReplyDeleteI think people need to look at the turbines and imagine how they would feel if they were hovering over their backyards 24/7 and randomly wooshing away.
Why is it so easy to understand the potential financial loss to the town, but not understand the financial loss (in property value) to that neighborhood. Some will argue that it isn't a loss, and that the homes will sell. I wonder if those same people are in locations that are 'safe' from potential future siting. Or I wonder how they will feel when one is projected for their area.
I'm sure some who voted in favor would not have voted for that location knowing what they know now. They would still vote for a turbine, but not within the same proximity to a neighborhood.
It's sad if "the majority will have to take the hit in tax dollars lost," but on the other hand, why should the minority have to "shoulder the burden" by living with the turbines. Maybe only those who are shouldering the burden should receive any benefit realized from them.
I almost wish they were put on every corner. Then we would all have a true perspective of the entire gains and losses.
There is no consistent data that property values suffer, near wind turbines, as those claimed in Fairhaven. The Fairhaven windwise have self imposed their own damages with their homes by creating the fear. Who would take a chance after listening to their 400 foot Chinese monster stories?
DeleteThey don’t share the burden of the shipyards. They don’t share the burden of Route 6 or I95 where people actually do die. They don’t have to live next to a plaza, but they do share in those revenues, so I don’t follow your logic.
I sympathize with the smell we all contribute to their neighborhood. That has to affect their property value more, don’t you think? Throw in 400 foot Chinese monsters on fire while flinging ice and I am not looking to buy there first. The legitimate sound issues will be dealt with, but the rest is their own tough luck.
I see your point about other 'nuisances.' Considering your reassuring comments, I can't wait to erect a turbine on every corner. That will put an end to the hubbub from a few, and we will all equally be 'Fairhaven United.'
DeleteI have sat through hundreds of public hearings and there are “hub hubs” with all of them. Traffic, apartments, condos, Wal-Mart, Kmart, radio towers, cell phone towers, tattoo parlors, Stop and Shop, Polish convention center, doggy day care, sewerage treatment, detention basins, bike paths, etc.. Each abutter claimed property value loss, health hazards, mosquitoes, drug addicts, sex predators, nuisances, packing up and leaving town, lawsuits or any other “hub hub” you can imagine. There are and have been “hub hubs” all over town. Welcome to American prosperity. Fairhaven is one of the most affordable towns by the sea in the Commonwealth!
DeleteMost of the “hub hubs” never materializes. Mitigating the actual “hub hub” during permitting is the trick. Mitigating it after the fact is trickier. Spending the “hub hub” revenue wisely, constantly ongoing. If you cannot bear to listen to “hub hub”, then open your wallets and purses fully and turn off your power all night.
"Most of the hubbub never materializes," but what about when it does? In this case and some others there's hubbub. Are we, as human beings just supposed to ignore it, or address it?
ReplyDeleteI don't see the recent action as a permanent or best solution. So let the process play out to the end. Is that asking too much?
I would ask the following question. If the turbine operator adjusts the “cut in “ speed and tweaks for certain wind directions and complies within the 10dB limit, which I feel they can easily accomplish unless interfered with by the “new” town government, do you think the complaints will cease? If the above is accomplished, what will the Selectmen then do to provide “harmony and unity” if the complaints keep on rolling in? How far are you prepared to let them cease and desist a lease agreement if the operation is compliant? I would start asking your$elve$ right now, because a few weeks from now is when we will need to know…
DeleteI have no idea if the complaints will cease, but I imagine that any adjustments ought to have some positive impact on the current situation.
ReplyDeleteWho knows where this will end or how much it will cost. But I do believe 'Fairhaven United' T-shirts will not be a big seller at Homecoming this year.
What was the actual wording of the motion/vote? I'm interested to understand what they regulation or policy was cited as being noncompliant?
ReplyDelete