By Beth David, Editor
The Fairhaven Select Board held a marathon meeting on Monday, 1/13/25 with a long agenda that included more than an hour talking about wind turbines; an hour or more on a tree removal, and more than an hour in executive session.
About 20 residents showed up to voice their opposition to the proposal by Sumul Shah of Palmer Capital/ Fairhaven Wind, the owner/operator of the two wind turbines (WTs) near the Wastewater Treatment Plant on Arsene Street.
Mr. Shah has appeared before the board asking for a change to the contract, and was asked to attend the 1/13 meeting with more information.
Mr. Shah said he sent the board members the detailed information they asked for, but they did not get all the information. Mr. Shah made his presentation of the materials, and many residents spoke in opposition.
Mr. Shah is asking the board to change rate the town pays the company for transmission and distribution costs. In the current contract, the rate varies. Mr. Shah said he needs a constant rate so he can get financing to refurbish the turbines.
The WTs use an old technology and maintenance and repairs are getting more difficult. The company wants to replace the top of the turbines and replace the generator and associated equipment with updated technology.
Neighbors complained about the noise, and noted that a construction project has begun clearing trees near the WTs, eliminating what little buffer they had from sound and shadow flicker.
Ann Ponichtera DeNardis told the board that when the project was first presented to the town in 2024, it was going to be “the greatest thing since sliced bread.”
“We were sold a bill of goods then,” said Ms. DeNardis, and they are doing the same now.
She and other residents complained about the noise, a drop in property values because of the WTs, and questionable revenue received by the town.
Ms. DeNardis accused the company of being dishonest on a number of fronts, including how often the shut off turbines to mitigate sound, and how much the town is actually making from them.
“It’s the same old song and dance, my friend,” said John Methia, adding that the room would not be filled if people actually got used to the sound and flicker.
He encouraged the board to use an independent contractor for any studies and not to believe anything Mr. Shah said.
“They have not been a good partner, nor have they been a good neighbor,” said Mr. Methia.
SB member Andrew said the board was not voting to take down the WTs, they were voting to amend the contract.
One resident said that it seemed clear to him that the WTs would not last till the end of the contract if the board votes not to amend the contract.
“So in essence that is what you’re voting for and what I would ask you to vote for,” he said.
The board did not take a vote to have more time to review the new material. The matter will be on the next agenda.
In another hot topic, the board discussed the removal of three trees on Union Street to allow Eversource to run larger capacity power lines as part of the project updating electricity at the Millicent Library.
The Board of Public Works, which includes the tree department, held a public hearing on 12/18/24. There was opposition to the removal of the trees, so the matter needed to go to the Select Board.
Highway Superintendent Joshua Crabb reminded the board that they had voted to approve the pole relocation.
Brian Mello, who is Eversource’s project manager for the Millicent project, said he was hired to look at the alternatives. He and the engineers decided the most cost effective way was to run the lines along Union Street and remove the trees.
Residents objected to the removal of the two old oak trees, which are healthy and provide shade. Residents also objected because the said they had no idea the trees were coming down until they saw the notice posted on the trees.
Michael Botelho said he did not feel Eversource looked at alternatives, but just chose the cheapest route.
Different options included running the lines underground.
Mr. Mello said Eversource does not care how they get the power to the building, the extra cost would be paid by the library, which received Community Preservation funds for the project. The cost is not being paid by Eversource.
Trees in the historic and picturesque center of town are an “important feature of our town,” said Realtor Howe Allen, adding that property values are affected by aesthetics.
He said it all came to the attention of the neighbors when the metal pole went up on Union Street, adding he was surprised the board allowed that.
Board members said the had no idea the pole would be metal. They thought it would be a wooden one.
Jim Anderson submitted a letter to the board, noting that no one could answer his questions at the 12/18 meeting. He said residents do not really have a say in the matter, and expressed his disappointment in it all being a rubber stamp or done deal.
Millicent Library trustee, John Whelan, said the cost to go underground would be about $800,00. Any change in design would cause delays, and the would have to apply for more funds from the CPC.
Board of Trustees president, Kath Lopes, said they would be replacing the trees. She noted that the cost is not the library’s as though it is a separate entity from the town. The money comes from taxpayers.
In the end the board voted to allow the trees to come down.
The board also:
• Announced new labor counsel: Jane Medeiros Friedman of Mead, Talerman & Costa.
• Convened in Executive Session to discuss litigation with the Rogers School and Rasputin’s Tavern; and complaints or charges against Fire Chief Todd Correia.
The meeting is available on demand at www.fairhaventv.com
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Click here to download the 1/16/25 issue: 01-16-25 AFBL_REV
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