Happy New Year!

Hope that the New Year finds you in good health, with happiness and serenity for the entire year.

Thanks for reading my blog
Click here to read on!

Is Coakley our Senator?

Over at Blue Mass Group, David asks if the Republicans have written off Scott Brown's candidacy in this post, GOPthink: "Gosh, if only there were some way to deny the Dems 60 votes in the Senate!"
So is Coakley a shoe in? Do you know ...

... when the election is? Does anyone care about this race?
Tell us in comments.
Click here to read on!

One more time on wind turbines

Let me start out by answering some of the queries that seem to be recurring in the comments. I will address noise, shadow flicker, blade and ice throw, real estate values, and the proposed location.

NOISE
The noise created by the wind turbines has been modeled and a study of ambient background noise was conducted. The standard set in our bylaw and by Massachusetts General Law is 310 CMR 7.10. That sets an absolute limit of 10 dB over ambient noise. The results of the study are that the increase is 2-3 dB over ambient. That is 3 to 5 times below the standard. The results of that study can be found here. While I am on the subject of noise, let me address the concerns of those who think it will affect their health. There are no peer reviewed studies that have found adverse health effects due to wind turbine sound, infrasound, or vibration. Click here for an expert panel review. UMass Amherst's Renewable Energy Research Lab has this paper on wind turbine sound.

SHADOW FLICKER
Shadow flicker is a term used to describe the shadow of the turning turbine blades as it fall on the ground. Because there are no homes close by the proposed turbines, the phenomenon is limited to times of day when the sun is low on the horizon, just after dawn and just before dusk. Only then are the shadows long enough to reach homes. The executive summary for the wind turbine permit says,

" Shadow-flicker has the potential to affect about 94 residences in total, but 75 of these would be for nine hours or less per year. Eighteen residences might receive between 10-19 hours per year, and only one residence might see slightly over 20 hours per year. These values are biased on the high side because the analysis does not account for screening of houses by trees, shrubs or other structures."

These values are known because a shadow flicker analysis has been done and can be seen here. It shows the duration, time of day, and time of year that shadow flicker may occur at residences around the turbines. Notice that shadow flicker might occur, however, no shadow flicker will occur unless the wind is blowing and the sun is shining during those times. Certain medical conditions can be aggravated by shadow flicker, however there is no general public health danger from the shadows.

TURBINE COLLAPSE, BLADE THROW, AND ICE THROW.
The commercial wind turbine bylaw sets requirements for safety setbacks of wind turbines. The condition requiring the largest setback is stated as,

"In order to ensure public safety and to protect the
interests of neighboring property owners, a setback shall be required from the nearest property line to the center of the base of the tower equal to two (2)times the hub height of the WECF (Wind Energy Conversion Facility)."

The bylaw incorporates the safety setbacks for turbine collapse, blade throw, and ice throw. Some have asked for a guarantee there is no public safety risk. As with many of the necessities of modern life, wind turbines do constitute some risk. Our bylaw is written to minimize that risk by placing the public well away from the area that would be affected by turbine collapse and at a distance where the probability of damage or injury from blades or ice is very remote. In an earlier post, I referenced these studies,

The comments by Palmer to a Canadian wind plant permit, http://www.powerauthority.on.ca/Storage/52/4743_C-8-2_Att_17.pdf, calculated the probability of a catastrophic failure of a wind turbine based upon historical operating data at .00129 failures per year of operation or in other words , one failure in every 775 years of operation. A study by Larwood, Permitting Setbacks for Wind Turbines in California and the Blade Throw Hazard, shows (table 8) that a 2 times setback is sufficient to protect from a blade throw at up to 150% of rated speed. Throws of blade fragments and ice could possibly reach greater distances but the low probability of such accidents along with the low probability of the fragment or ice striking a populated area and the reduced consequence due to the smaller mass results in a hazard that is orders of magnitude less than some which are commonly accepted as part of modern life such as airline flight or driving an auto.

Modern life involves accepting some risks ...

... in order to enjoy the benefits. One cannot deny that buildings and bridges collapse, trains derail, airlines crash, homes burn from faulty electrical appliances and circuits, cars collide, furnaces sometimes leak deadly gases, nuclear plants fail, cars, factories, and fossil fuel power plants poison the air and water. We accept all these risks because they are familiar and we know that we benefit from transportation, electricity and other modern conveniences. Given the setback required in the bylaw, the risk of injury or damage from a wind turbine is on the same level as that of being struck by lightning.

REAL ESTATE VALUES
There is no basis to believe that siting wind turbines in Dartmouth will decrease real estate values. This study by Berkeley National Laboratory found no decrease in property values.
The National Association of Realtors say here that,

"Although research remains scant, wind farms appear to have a minimal or at most transitory impact on real estate. This field guide explores the current state of the industry, examines real estate-related research, provides wind maps and regulations to give an indication of where future projects might unfold, and gives resources for further study."

This paper found,

"no measurable affect on property values on 280 arms-length single family home transactions around an upstate New York windfarm."

This report concluded,

"Lincoln Township in western Wisconsin undertook a study of local windfarms to gage their impact on the community. Excerpts of this report are often cited by wind farm opponents to bolster their case. However, the actual report states "the siting of the windmills has not had any significant negative impact on property values near them."

To date, evidence presented that values are affected have been loss of one sale of a home in Fairhaven and the belief by some that values will be affected.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
Why was the proposed site chosen?
The land is owned by the town and is used as a watershed for much of the town's water supply. While being used as a watershed, there are few auxiliary uses allowed for this land. Wind turbine siting is one such use.
The sites are adjacent to some of the largest users of electricity by the town, the waste water treatment plant and the drinking water filtration plant. New net metering rules adopted by the state public utility department require that municipal wind turbines must be connected to the grid behind the meter of a municipal load, such as the waste water treatment plant.
The area is densely wooded and large. The woods reduce sound and shadow effects on neighbors. It is large enough to allow the required setbacks.
Some have noted that other areas of the town may have a better wind regime. I think that is correct. However, upon inspection, each has problems as well. Some may know that a study for a wind turbine near Round Hill was done. The setback requirement of our bylaw has proven to be difficult to meet at that site. A permit application has not been submitted yet. There are lands near Old Fall River Road that could have good wind for turbines, but they are in the flight path of the New Bedford airport approaches.
The capped landfill in Dartmouth could be used, but that would require extensive permitting from the DEP.
In short, the proposed sites are large enough to allow for the setbacks, cannot be put to other use, remote enough to help minimize the impact of sound and shadow, and nearby the electrical loads that they will help to serve.

The above are some answers to the most frequent questions that I have seen. I'm sure that one of the criticisms will be that I only listen to people who are involved in the wind turbine field. I do lend more credence to people who have expertise. I don't go to the plumber for a toothache or the dentist to fix my car. While plumbers may have opinions on dentistry and dentists on auto repair, I think you will get better results if the person has specific training or expertise in the problem at hand.
Click here to read on!

Comparison of US House and Senate Helath care reform bills

David At Blue Mass Group has this post where he weighs the likely options in each body. David has also provided links to a Boston Globe article on the differences between the House and Senate versions of the health care reform bill. The Globe online setup is not very intuitive. You have to click on each heading in the box to see the comparison for that item. David has uploaded the print version after the jump in his post here. It is quite a bit easier ...

... to make comparisons in that version. Passage of a reform bill is an historic event and a first step in getting our nation's health care spending under control. The US spends nearly two times more per capita on health care than any other nation. Health care spending is bankrupting citizens, companies and the nation. Let's hope this reform is a start at reversing that.
Click here to read on!

Here's a new thread for the wind turbine folks.

Save me some scrolling time.

Comments anyone?
Click here to read on!

A peaceful, happy, and blessed Christmas to all

The Gospel of St. Luke

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ...

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Click here to read on!

Meeting of Select Board will be at 7PM at the high school

The headline of this post says it all.

See you there.
Click here to read on!

Wind turbine special permit

The Select Board was set up as the Special Permit Granting Authority for commercial sized wind turbines by a zoning bylaw, section 34, adopted by the Town Meeting. A super majority of the Select Board, 4 out of 5, must vote to approve an application in order to issue a permit. The application can be found at this link.
The Alternative Energy Committee has been studying ways to provide clean renewable energy for the town since 2005. They have conducted tests that show there was a sufficient wind resource on the DPW lands in the Paskmansett Valley to justify the installation of commercial size wind turbines.
The Alternative Energy Committee held numerous public meetings and gave presentations at Town Meeting and at Select Board meetings. The Town Meeting has funded studies to determine if the proposed facilities could be placed on the sites. The results of those studies show that the sites are suitable and turbines can be installed within the parameters set by the bylaw.
At the same time, the Finance Committee has assessed the financial impact of the cost of buying and installing the turbines and the likely benefit in reduced energy costs and payments for excess generation. They have held many public meetings where the wind turbines project was presented and the financial impact to the town was discussed. The Finance Committee concluded the turbines would save the town many millions of dollars over their service life.
In the past few months, the town has begun the process of permitting the wind turbines. As part of the process, some residents, who are not in favor of the installation of the machines, have raised some issues against the project. Noise, shadow flicker from turning blades, danger to residents from parts or ice flying off the turbines, hazard to wildlife, especially birds and bats, and reduced property values are the main reasons given for opposing wind turbines.
The noise generated by the installation is not zero. The noise report for the wind turbine project can be found at this link. There will be some increase in noise but that increase is small, on the order of 2-3 DbA. That increase is near the limit of perceptibility by the human ear and well below the 10DbA limit for noise impact set out by Massachusetts noise regulation, 310 CMR 7.10. The Select Board has been given some reports that contain anecdotal accounts of persons who claim to have suffered adverse health effects from noise caused by wind turbines. One report, included by reference, is by E. Pederson, Human response to wind turbine noise - perception, annoyance and moderating factors found that self reported health effects did not correlate to the sound power level (SPL) of the exposure, ...

... but did correlate with displeasure over the look of the wind turbines. This and other studies have not found a causal relationship between the reported health effects and exposure to the wind turbine sound. Infrasound is another health area that opponents to wind power have raised. No evidence of any scientific study that supports that the claim of infrasound effects has been provided.
Shadow flicker is a event that occurs when the shadow of the rotating wind turbine blades falls upon the ground. The application for permit addresses these shadow flicker events and finds that the exposure to this phenomenon is low for residences in the area. The maximum calculated shadow flicker exposure for a year at any residence is just over 20 hours. All others are well below that duration. These shadow flicker events will only occur for short durations on a given day in the early morning or late evening when the sun is low on the horizon. The shadow flicker model does not account for screening by the wooded areas around the turbines which will lessen exposure to residents. I am satisfied that the effects of shadow flicker have been mitigated by the turbine site placement to the extent that is possible. No evidence has been presented that shadow flicker will harm residents.
There is a possibility that the turbines, the turbine blades or fragments of blades, or ice formed on the blades will become detached and be thrown to the ground. This debris could pose a hazard to residents. The required setbacks for the turbines as set by the bylaw is 2 times the turbine hub height.
The comments by Palmer to a Canadian wind plant permit, http://www.powerauthority.on.ca/Storage/52/4743_C-8-2_Att_17.pdf, calculated the probability of a catastrophic failure of a wind turbine based upon historical operating data at .00129 failures per year of operation or in other words , one failure in every 775 years of operation. A study by Larwood, Permitting Setbacks for Wind Turbines in California and the Blade Throw Hazard, shows (table 8) that a 2 times setback is sufficient to protect from a blade throw at up to 150% of rated speed. Throws of blade fragments and ice could possibly reach greater distances but the low probability of such accidents along with the low probability of the fragment or ice striking a populated area and the reduced consequence due to the smaller mass results in a hazard that is orders of magnitude less than some which are commonly accepted as part of modern life such as airline flight or driving an auto.
Studies have shown that hazards to wildlife species are low and within the range of the impact of other man made hazards. No evidence has been given to conclude a protected species would be affeceted.
Some opponents have posited a reduction on home property values as a result of proximity to wind turbines. A study was presented from Berkeley National Laboratory which did not find a reduction in home values due to wind farm proximity. The assessor from the Town of Hull did not find a reduction near their two wind turbines. Other than anecdotal evidence that purchase offers were withdrawn in Fairhaven, no evidence was presented that property values would suffer.
Our home, Earth, is straining under the impact of a remarkably successful species, humans. Our current use of the earth's resources is not sustainable, perhaps even in the short term, as the land, air and water that we need for survival are being polluted and changed by the activities of the billions of people on the planet. Renewable energy sources, such as wind, can help to reduce that impact and can lead to a more sustainable way of life for our world and our children.
One of the natural resources that modern life relies on and that is in in short supply is oil. Our nation relies upon foreign sources for that oil. Many of the oil producing countries have interests which are hostile or, at best, diverge from American self interests. Reducing our dependence on these foreign nations is in the best interests of our country. Wind power and other technologies reduce the need for importation of foreign resources and strengthen our country.
The Town of Dartmouth has long prided itself on having low property taxes and a good public school system. A combination of limits on the increase in property tax, changes in school funding formulas, and other factors outside of the town's control have made it increasingly difficult to maintain traditional town services without raising property taxes or cutting those services. The savings from generating our own power from wind turbines and from selling the excess generation can help to reduce the strain on the town budget. The town recently projected a shortfall of over $800,000 for the 2011 fiscal year. Steps will have to be taken to eliminate that shortfall. Budgets will be cut. Police, teachers, highway workers, and other staff may be laid off. The town cannot spend more than it earns, that is the law. Projections for the wind turbine project are that chances are even that it will generate more than $800,000 in savings and revenue for the town. Even in the most conservative projects are for a benefit of $more than $600,000. Wind turbines, owned by the people of Dartmouth, will provide financial benefits to the people and help to keep taxes low and all our town services intact.
Dartmouth can harvest a resource that is readily available, while preserving our planet, strengthening our nation, and maintaining the community values of our town. For these reasons, I will vote to approve the special permit for wind turbines on the DPW lands.
Click here to read on!

Republicans oppose health care at the expense of their constituents

Matt Yglesias has this post about Senator Lindsey Graham complaining because Democratic Senators got benefits for their states included in the final health care reform bill. I am not condoning this behavior on the part of Senator Nelson but this is, in fact, how the game is played. In return for your support of legislation, you ask for and often can get concessions that benefit your state. Senator Graham knows this ...

... and despite acknowledging that his constituents could use the help, votes against the bill.
Why?
Don't tell me it is the principle of it. This process is how most legislation garners support. Mr. Graham and the other Republicans have opposed and delayed this reform for the sole purpose of trying to give the President's agenda a legislative defeat. Shame on them and I hope that the voters keep this in mind when these Senators are up for re-election.
Click here to read on!

Westport businesses going and getting green

Grant Welker has an article in today's Herald Tribune about Westport businesses that have embraced alternative energy, wind and solar, in order to be more environmentally conscious and save money. According to the article, Whaling City Transit "has been getting monthly checks for around $20, Neves, the president and co-owner, said. That’s after enough energy is produced that the company often has no energy bill at all."
Westport's Alternative Energy Committee is also looking ...

... at sites for wind turbines, according to the article,

While the commercial sector and many residents have turned to the sun or wind for energy, the town Alternative Energy Committee, which proposed the Town Hall turbine, has again begun looking for locations. It is considering the transfer station, land behind the fire station under construction on Hixbridge Road and potential parcels near the shore.
But the committee isn’t looking to build a 120-foot turbine as it did two years ago. Now it's considering something about twice as high with the capacity to provide 100 times or more energy.

The Town of Falmouth recently completed erection of two commercial size wind turbines, one at their waste water plant and another on the Massachusetts Military Reservation.
Click here to read on!

Select Board meeting tonight at high school

The Select Board meeting for this evening will be at the Dartmouth high school on Bakerville Road, rather than at Town Hall. There is some concern right now that that venue may not be available due to the fact that there was no school today in Dartmouth.
I will post updates here as I receive more information.


Click here to read on!

Dylan and Baez 1976

Two of my favorite preformers. I saw Joan Baez on a public TV program the other day and she is still as beautiful, talented and passionate about people and issues as ever. Our country was truly blessed to have activists like Joan and Dr. King who embraced non-violence but were unafraid to challenge the status quo.
Click here to read on!

Tis the season to be ... generous

I got this email from Ms. Stone today

While talking with Lynn Medeiros, our town clerk, I learned that many tags remain on the gift tree posted outside her office. Traditionally staff from Town Hall adopt different children and adults (connected through the Council on Aging) and purchase needed gift items during the holidays. This year it appears that adoptions are not happening at the same rate. It always feels good to give-- so off I went in search of a Tonka truck and some clothing for (2) 5 and 6 year-old girls. If it works for you to participate, I know that Lynn would appreciate the support. Gift items must be purchased, wrapped up and brought back into her by first thing on Monday AM 12/21.

Help out if you can. Have a happy, joyous and blessed holiday!

I seem to be getting more requests in the mail from charitable organizations for donations than I remember getting in the past. Economic hard times, I guess. How about you? Are you seeing more holiday giving requests?
Click here to read on!

Lincoln Park District and eminent domain

The Town Meeting passed an article at the Fall 2008 Town Meeting which authorized the town to seek a Special Act of the General Court to form a development district at Lincoln Park which had the power to issue bonds and to levy assessments and betterments upon property owners in the district in order to pay off the bonds. I posted about the warrant article and legislation here and here again.
The developers complained in August that the town has held them up as I posted here.
Attorneys for the town and the developers as well as the town's bond counsel have been kicking around the wording for the special act for months now. Everyone points the finger at the other guy for the delay but I am not interested in who to blame, I just want to get some housing started at Lincoln Park so that the town doesn't have to pay back the 40R grant of $350,000 next year.
Having said that, I am also not willing to just sign off on any proposal. It seems pretty straightforward that the act should authorize the creation of the district to sell bonds to make infrastruture improvements. That is what the Town Meeting voted to do. The rub comes when the proposed legislation ...

... goes well beyond what the warrant article detailed. That increased scope has been the objection of the town to getting the Special Act wording approved.
In this case, the parts of the proposed Special Act that I cannot support are provisions to give the new quasi-governmental body the power to condemn property in eminent domain takings. That would even be OK with me if it were limited to the land within the district. I don't really know why it is needed since I assume they could deed themselves an easement when the property is conveyed. But as I read the proposed act, the power would extend outside the Lincoln Park district. That is not what Town Meeting voted for and I don't think it is a good idea either.
What are your thoughts?
Click here to read on!

Local campuses go green

Grant Welker had this article in the Fall River Herald News about the installation of 420 solar panels on roofs at Bristol Community College (BCC). The solar installation is part of a $500,000 program to cut energy usage at the campus. The solar panels are expected to generate 100 KW and add to the 10 KW produced by 50 panels that were installed previously. The low energy production from the installation points to a problem with solar power installations. The sun's energy per square foot on the earth's surface is low (on average about 164 watts per square meter) and the efficiency of the panels at capturing that energy is also low (around 30% efficient at best nowadays). So the most energy that we can collect on average is 50 watts per square meter. DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS! At our latitiude about 8 hours per day at this time of year. That yields a total of 400 watts per square meter per day.
To equal the peak output of the proposed Dartmouth wind turbine installation with solar panels, ...

... you would need to install 13,860 solar panels of the type that BCC used.
Mr. Welker had this article a couple of weeks ago about UMass Dartmouth's effort to reduce their energy consumption. The campus is considering solar panels and perhaps a wind turbine but most of the savings, as at BCC,comes from consuming less.
This points the way to how all of us can cut our energy use, lower the thermostat, use energy efficient lighting, disconnect small loads like computers, and other electronics when not in use. The average European home uses 30% less energy than they did 20 years ago and they are getting lower all the time. The US is still headed in the opposite direction.
Click here to read on!

Governor Patrick seeks public input for FY2011 budget

The Governor will have a series of public meetings to get public input on the upcoming budget for fiscal year 2011 that begins in July 2010. You can go to the Governor's website at this link to add your comments on a blog.
The meetings are:

Tuesday, December 15 7:30pm
FY 2011 Budget Forum in Melrose(map), Moderated by Governor Deval Patrick

Wednesday, December 16 6:00pm
FY 2011 Budget Hearing in Boston (map), Moderated by Secretary Reville (EOE)

Thursday, December 17 6:00pm
FY 2011 Budget Hearing in Springfield (map), Moderated by Secretary Bialecki (EOHE

This is your chance to make your priorities heard. Go add a comment or attend a forum. If you don't make your thoughts known, ...

... you can't complain if the budget doesn't match your priorities.
Click here to read on!

Town Charter and Bylaw review

Our town charter sets up periodic review of its provisions as well as periodic review of the town bylaws. 2010 is the year designated for the first charter review and also meets the criteria for a bylaw review year. I have copied the relevant sections of the Town Charter below. The bold emphasis is mine and not in the original.
The charter review committee can recommend modifications to our charter to the Town Meeting. The Town Meeting can adopt or reject the recommendations. If they adopt them, the changes are put on the ballot at the next town election and require 2/3 affirmative votes to be adopted.
The Town Charter cannot be modified to change the form of government except in the manner detailed in this post
The current charter basically codified the structure of the town government as it existed at the time. Our new Executive Administrator, Mr. Cressman, has been tasked with making recommendations to the Select Board on revising the structure of the town departments. I think that he should be one of the two persons appointed by the Select Board to the charter review committee.

SECTION 6-7: PERIODIC REVIEW, CHARTER AND BY-LAWS
(a) Charter Review - At least once in every ten years, beginning in 2010, and thereafter in each year ending in a zero, a special committee to consist of nine members shall be established for the purpose of reviewing this charter and to make a report, with recommendations, to the town meeting concerning any proposed amendments which said committee may determine to be necessary or desirable. The committee shall consist of nine members who shall be chosen as follows: the select board, the finance committee and the school committee shall each designate two persons, the planning board shall designate one person, and two persons shall be appointed by the town moderator. Persons appointed by the said agencies may, but need not, be members of the agency by which they are designated. The committee shall meet to organize forthwith following the final adjournment of the annual town meeting.

More after the jump

Our town bylaws are in desperate need of revision. There are many that are outdated
(Such as this one from 1944 "No person shall ride a bicycle or tricycle upon any of the sidewalks of the town" Hey kid! Get that tricycle into the street and off the sidewalk!)
or are duplicative or have been superceded by the charter or the General Laws.

(b) By-Law Review - The select board shall at five year intervals, in each year ending in five, or in zero, cause to be prepared by a special committee appointed for that purpose, a proposed revision or recodification of all by-laws of the town which shall be presented to the town meeting for reenactment at the annual town meeting in the year following the year in which the said committee is appointed. The by-law review committee shall consist of the town clerk who shall serve by virtue of office, two representative town meeting members appointed by the town moderator and two persons appointed by the select board. The said committee in its final, or in an interim report, shall include recommendations for such substantive change in town by-laws as it deems necessary or advisable. The review of town by-laws shall be in conjunction with the town counsel, or, by special counsel retained for that purpose. Subsequent to enactment by the town meeting, copies of the revised by-laws shall be forwarded to the attorney general of the commonwealth for approval, and they shall be otherwise published, all as required by general laws. Copies of the revised by-laws shall be made available for distribution to the public at a charge not to exceed the actual cost, per copy, of reproduction.

Do you think it is time to get started? What sort of changes should be made? Tell us in comments.
Click here to read on!

State Fiscal woes deepen

A report by the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation (MTF) predicts that the Commonwealth is still hundreds of million dollars short of a balanced budget for the current fiscal year, FY2010. The prospects are equally bad for next year FY2011 when they predict a $3 billion shortfall in the state budget despite the cuts already made. One fault that the MTF consistently found was the use of one time revenue to plug budget holes. You can read the entire report here.
Given their findings, it would seem that ...

... Dartmouth may see additional cuts to school and local aid before the end of FY2010.
The Governor has not issued a proposed 2011 budget as yet but it is sure to contain even more cuts. Our projection was for a 5% cut in state local aid and a level funded Chapter 70 amount. I have to say that both predictions seem pretty conservative but when you see reports such as this one, it gives you pause.
A major problem is that revenues will inevitably lag the actual recovery and the states and municipalities have been burning through reserves and have little left to fall back on. Our Commonewealth is by no measure in the worst shape among all the staes and I hope that the federal government will provide a lifeline to the states. It is not a good time to be governor anywhere in the nation and I expect that the voters will turn the current occupants out next year. I am not sure that there is much the governors can do about it though.

Click here to read on!

Bristol DA hints at Attorney General run

The Fall River Herald News thinks Bristol District Attorney Mr. Sutter may take a crack at the Commonwealth Attorney General post if the current AG, Ms Coakley, is elected as our new US Senator. Their article is at this link.

What do you think? Will Coakley be the new Senator? Should Sutter run for her position?
Tell us in comments.
Click here to read on!

Wind turbine forum report

The Standard Times article about the forum can be found here.
I think that the information presented was helpful to residents in understanding the impact and benefits of the wind turbines. You can download the presentation here
One particularly interesting question came from the Fire Chief. He asked what provisions are made for getting someone down from the top of the 100 meter (328ft)tower and would the fire department receive any special training needed. I did a little investigation this morning and found that there are ladderways with intermediate platforms within the towers for access. These ladderways are equipped with fall protection devices. In addition, there is a rescue and descent device stowed in the top nacelle by some turbine manufacturers which allows descent outside of the tower. I think that the town should make these devices a requirement in the request for proposal when issued.
Several of those in attendance expressed concern about health effects and decreased property values. Jeanne Nesto of Chase Road was worried about "wind turbine syndrome" and others about property values. I have posted my thoughts on those subjects here.
I spoke with Ms. Nesto and others after the forum and invited them to send me information about health effects and property values. I am open to valid concerns and want to weigh all the information. What I asked for were reports that applied science and statistics to show that there are deleterious effects. Reports, such as that by Dr. Pierpoint, do not constitute a scientific or statistical approach. What I want to see are reports that apply the scientific method of data collection, analysis and conclusion to reach verifiable results. Statements of belief are not persuasive to me.
As an example, there are millions who believe that flying saucers exist. Some claim to have seen them, others to have met them. Despite many books, reports and websites claiming their belief in otherworldly visitors, I have yet to see any conclusive verifiable proof. I don't believe that they exist and require proof that they do.
Another example is the belief ...

... that vaccinations cause a variety of ailments including autism. Many believe this to be true. There are long lists of websites that promote that belief. However rigorous scientific investigation has not found a causal relationship between vaccinations and autism. So what to believe? Should I not vaccinate and expose my child to known diseases which can definitely harm them or vaccinate even though many hold the unproven belief that it can cause autism? I would choose the vaccination because that is where objective science tells me the correct course lies.
I think that these examples show what I am asking for. If you have evidence that I should consider about wind turbines, please let me know in comments or by email.
Click here to read on!

UMass Law School approved by Trustees

The Standard Times reports in this article that the Southern New England School of Law will become a part of the UMass system.
Great news for our town and UMass Dartmouth, I think.

Congratulations to Chancellor MacCormack and the UMass community!
Click here to read on!

Fiscal Year 2011 shows shortfall in town budget

The Select Board and Finance Committee met jointly last night to review the revenue and expense projection for the next fiscal year, FY2011. The projections show that the town budget will be in the red (i.e expenses exceed revenue) by over $850,000.
The projections can be viewed in MS Excel format at this link The Finance Committee and Select Board agreed to use the revenue forecast, shown in the linked file, of $68,630,059 as the basis for next year's budget planning. These numbers are not certain ...

... as the Commonwealth may need to make additional cuts to local aid in order to balance their budget. There is no doubt that the state will have to make cuts to balance their budget. The unknown is where those cuts will fall.
The revenue projection was set at 1% increase for new growth in property tax and a 5% decrease in local receipts. About 50% of local receipt revenues are derived from automobile excise tax and new car registrations have declined.
Total expenses are forecast to rise about $1.745 million. The school contributions are projected rise by about $837K while medical insurance and pensions for town employees will increase about $414K. These categories constitute the bulk of the increase in expense. There is a modest wage increase for town employees included for FY2011 but no funds for an FY2010 increase. The contracts of nearly all town unions expired at the end of Fy 2009 and the town and bargaining units are currently negotiating new contracts.
Town departmetns have been asked to submit their FY2011 budgets and to look for opportunities to cut costs. As of this date, no mandated reductions in budget have been required of department heads.
That is the current state of town finances, what do you think about it? Tell us in comments.
Click here to read on!

Facts about wind turbines.

The University of Massachusetts Renewable Energy Research Lab weighs in with this letter on Dr. Pierpoint's claims saying,

At the University of Massachusetts, we presented a white paper on the subject: (http://www.ceere.org/rerl/publications/whitepapers/Wind_Turbine_Acoustic_Noise_Rev2006.pdf) with its latest revision in 2006. Similar conclusions have been presented by a well-respected consulting firm in New York State- AWS Truewind. In no case do these reports support the conclusions of Dr. Pierpont or others holding similar views. We also note that this subject is a topic most used by wind turbine opponents, and that not all the information found on the Internet is reliable.

This letter from Massachusetts Maritime Academy states that there have been no complaints of noise from their wind turbine which is within 522 feet of the nearest residence in 18 months of operation. (more after the jump)

Hull's second wind turbine is much closer to residents than proposed in Dartmouth and is not shielded by trees. Below is an actual photo of that turbine.
Watch these videos of what the nearby residents have to say in Hull
Bernadette White 1
Bernadette White 2
Beth Parker
Hardly a nightmarish tale. In fact, Hull residents like their wind turbines and are proud of them. Here is a link to a children's book about Millie, the Hull wind turbine. The Hull Assessor says in this memo that Millie has not hurt property values.
This report from the Union of Concerned Scientists says,

“A national study of more than 25,000 real estate sales near wind farms across the country found no evidence of a negative impact on property values, and in some cases it even showed a positive effect. In the coastal community of Hull, MA, property sales near Hull Wind One since it began operating in January 2002 show increases in property value consistent with the rest of the town, according to local realtors. A long-standing real estate firm serving Hull and the neighboring towns of Cohasset and Hingham highlights Hull Wind One in its sales materials, touting the far-sighted thinking that the use of wind power represents, the stable electricity rates it provides, and the overwhelming town support for a second turbine, which was erected in 2006”

Once again I am sure that this information will not sway those who have already decided that these turbines are not suitable for our town. However if you have an open mind, I think all the above deserves consideration.
Click here to read on!

Data shows wind turbines do not effect property values

This article from the Berkeley National Laboratoty details a nationwide study which found that wind turbine sites had no effect on residential property values in the vicinity. The full report can be downloaded at this link.
Some commenters have raised a preliminary study by pediatrician Dr. Nina Pierpoint about a "wind turbine syndrome". This report is a compilation of anecdotal information from people who claim that they have a malady caused by nearby wind turbines. The subjects from her study are self selected, i.e. they reported their symptoms and were included rather than surveying all residents who live nearby. There are no causal relationships established in the report as one would expect in a rigorous scientific document. The report is not in a scientific journal but rather is self published by the author. There are serious questions about the peer reviews of this publication. While no one can prove there are no deleterious effects from living near wind turbines, the opposite is also true. No proof has been provided that deleterious effects do occur.
An article on the CleanTechnica website says,

A spokesman for the British Wind Energy Association (BWEA) said that the size of the sample group and the methodology for the study "simply does not stack up scientifically". "This is research based on the symptoms of 38 unspecified people in a small number of unspecified locations," he argued, adding that a recent, more extensive study by acousticians at Salford University had concluded that there were no health risks arising from the noise from wind turbines.

I do not expect that the opponents of our wind turbine project will be persuaded by this evidence. They have reached a conclusion and ...

... are casting about for evidence to support their position.
I think I have arrived at my support for the project in the opposite manner. I have looked at the evidence and found that the installation will not be harmful to residents, will not affect property values, and is beneficial to the town.
Let us know what you think in comments.
Click here to read on!

Recent history of microbes in town wells

New regulations about water system reporting came into effect on December 1. These new regulations require water system operators to publicly announce microbial contaminates when they occur in the source water, even if it is prior to treatment. There have been instances in the past where wells have seen positive results for microbes but the regulations at the time did not require a public announcement. There has not been an instance where microbes were detected in the distribution system following treatment.
The linked document shows the 3 year history of microbe detection (MS Word format) and the affected wells. Many of these events occur after heavy rainfall ...

... and the water department takes steps during such times to shut down those wells that they know are more susceptible to contamination.
Given the past history and the new reporting rules, it is likely that we will see more of this type of reporting in the future. I want to emphasize that the detection was prior to treatment and no microbes have been detected in the distribution systems.
Click here to read on!

H1N1 Clinic expands target groups

Call the following flu clinic phone line at 508-910-1844 to make an appointment on the following dates and times, or until our current vaccine supply is allotted. Please only call during these hours and do not leave a message. Staff and volunteers are available only during these hours:

Friday December 4: 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Sat. December 5: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Mon December 7: 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Tues. December 8: 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Wed. December 9: 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

This clinic will be targeted to the following ...

... recently expanded target groups in accordance with CDC and MA Department of Public Health guidance and our experience in vaccine demand:

* Children from 3 years through 18 years of age and
* Pregnant women
* Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age
* Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
* Adults 18 years – 64 years with underlying health conditions including:

* Pulmonary (including asthma)
* Cardiovascular (except hypertension)
* Renal, hepatic, cognitive, hematologic, neurologic/neuromuscular, or metabolic disorders (incl. diabetes mellitus)
* Immunosuppression (incl. that caused by medications or by HIV )Here is the beginning.
Click here to read on!

Microbial comtaminate found in town well. Notice below.

Dartmouth Water Division
751 Allen Street
Dartmouth, MA 02747
December 4, 2009
Steven Sullivan
508 999 0742

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


DRINKING WATER PUBLIC NOTICE

During normal weekly water sampling Dartmouth Water Division found
microbes in one of its thirteen well sources. This well (Well D) is treated for
microbes at the Water Treatment Facility located on Chase Road prior to this
source water exiting the Treatment Facility. Dartmouth has taken steps to shut
off this well until such time it can be chlorinated and re-sampled.
A microbe, E. coli, was detected in the water from Well D collected on December 1, 2009. These microbes can make you sick, and are a particular concern for people with weakened immune systems. Dartmouth Water Division routinely provides disinfection adequate to remove fecal bacteria, but it does not reach the current standard to confidently remove viruses from drinking water. The Public Drinking Water Standard is to remove 99.99% of viruses.

What should I do? What do I need to know?

Discard all ice, food products and formula made with Dartmouth Water Division water on or before December 1, 2009.
· E. coli is a microbe whose presence indicates that the source water may be contaminated with human or ... (more after the jump)

... animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms.
· They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems.

The symptoms above are not caused only by organisms in drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice. People at increased risk should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.

What happened? What is being done?

Microbial contamination can occur when increased run-off enters the drinking water source (for example, following heavy rains) or from septic systems and other animal wastes, such as manure.
Corrective actions we have taken include:
Five (5) additional water samples have been taken from this source (Well D) as required by Ground water rule and Well D has been turned off. This well will be disinfected and retested. We are using an alternate drinking water source and most recently retained an engineering firm to assist Dartmouth in our effort to meet the Public Drinking Water Standard to remove 99.99% of viruses.
We will inform you when tests show no microbes/we install approved treatment that meets the Public Drinking Water Standard. We anticipate resolving the problem within 14 days.
For more information, please contact Steven M. Sullivan at 508 999 0742.
General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1(800) 426-4791.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

This notice is being sent to you by, Dartmouth Water Division.

PWS ID# 4072000

Date distributed: 12/4/2009
Click here to read on!

Town unveils new website

The Town has a new website. Go check it out here. The new URL is http://www.town.dartmouth.ma.us/pages/index I have updated most of the links on my side menu to go to the new pages. I have not been able to find a page on the new site with the Town Charter or General Bylaws, so those links don't work yet. The new site is pretty attractive and has some new functionality. For instance, you can sign up for email alerts for various listings on this page. Nice:/).
Lots of forms for permits and documents are available at this page.
Looks like a great start. I would like to see the momentum maintained from here ...

... and see if we can add the ability to generate a action request or information inquiry, a so called 3-1-1 system. I previously posted about that kind of system here.
Kudos to everyone who has worked to get this new site up and working.
Click here to read on!

Friday Dylan from 1983

Steal a little and they throw you in jail,
Steal a lot and they make you king.
There's only one step down from here, baby,
It's called the land of permanent bliss.
Click here to read on!

Governor backs UMass law school

The Fall River Herald News reports in this article that Governor Patrick has endorsed the merger of the Southern New England School of Law with the UMass system, UMass Dartmouth in particular.
The article by Grant Welker quotes Governor Patrick

“Our students deserve the same access to opportunity as those in 44 other states and should have the option of a high-quality and affordable public law school,” Patrick said, referring to what would be the state’s first public law school.

The momentum for a public law school ...

... in Dartmouth appears to be building. What do you think about having a public law school in our town and state?
Click here to read on!

H1N1 Vaccination Clinics Scheduled

From the Board of Health. (Bold emphasis added by me. Please note that these vaccinations are by appointment)

We have scheduled an H1N1 Flu Vaccination Clinic to be held on Monday December 14th. As we still have limited vaccine available, immunizations will be given by pre-registration appointment only. We will have both Injectable and Nasal Spray formulations available. The Nasal Spray is generally appropriate for healthy individuals between the ages of 2 and 49 years with no breathing or immune system disorders. Please consult with your physician to assure the Nasal Spray is appropriate before you call the Flu Line to schedule an appointment.

Call the following flu clinic phone line at 508-910-1844 to make an appointment on the following dates and times, or until our current vaccine supply is allotted. Please only call during these hours and do not leave a message. Staff and volunteers are available only during these hours:

Friday December 4: 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Sat. December 5: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Mon December 7: 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Tues. December 8: 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Wed. December 9: 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

This clinic will be targeted to the following groups in accordance with CDC guidance:

· Children from 3 years through 18 years of age and
· Pregnant women because they are at higher risk of complications
· Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age
· Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel

A clinic will be held by pre-registration to provide the second dose on December 21st for children under 10 years old,...

... who received their first dose at the November 20th clinic. This clinic is by appointment only. Board of Health Staff will contact parents, by phone this week to schedule these appointments, using the number provided on your November 20th registration form.

In addition we will hold a H1N1 Vaccination Clinic for High School Students at Dartmouth High School on Monday December 7th, during the school day. Students must pick up parental consent forms at the High School Office and return to school with them signed on Monday December 7th to receive a vaccination.

We remind residents that a healthy lifestyle, good diet, adequate rest and physical exercise along with good handwashing practices and cough etiquette will reduce your risk of illness. When you or a household member is ill it is important to stay at home until fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.

Check the Town website at www.town.dartmouth.ma.us or call the Flu Info Line at 508-910-1844 for future clinic schedules.

For a Healthy Community,

Wendy W. Henderson, R.S.
Director of Public Health

Click here to read on!

Help send care packages to our servicemen

Bill,
I was wondering if you could post this on your blog. I am holding a care package drive for our troops overseas. I am looking to send it out mid January. I am asking for all travel sized product, like hand sanitizers,wet wipes, toothbrushes,toothpaste. I am also looking for donations of warm winter clothing like socks and thermal underwear. The drop off is in front of the town clek's office at the town hall. Thanks Bill.
Raymond M Medeiros, Jr

It's tough being in a foreign land during the holidays. It means a lot to our men and women in uniform to know that we are thinking of them. Help out if you can. Thanks.
Click here to read on!

Second wind

Update on CIP Committee action after the jump
Barrett A Hurwitz has a letter in today's Standard Times about the Dartmouth wind turbine project. Mr. Hurwitz asks for a second opinion on the project engineering.
I find Mr. Hurwitz's argument for another engineering opinion unconvincing. The engineering of this project has been first rate. I am an engineer and have reviewed the submissions. I have been impressed with the thoroughness and conservative approach taken by Atlantic Design. Dr. Friedman of the Finance Committee and Dr. DiPippo of the Alternative Energy Committee are also highly trained engineers and they have not found any fault with the submissions. Engineering is not an art. It is the application of science to real world problems. Science and mathematics are used to reach conclusions which are not based on opinion but upon data and natural laws of physics and materials.
Mr. Hurwitz goes on to assert the engineers and the Alternative Energy Committee (AEC) are unconcerned about potential impacts upon residents. That is far from the truth. The turbine bylaw specifically requires that noise and flicker impacts be quantified in the permit application. That has been done. The noise from the installation is so low as to be negligible. Shadow flicker effects occur only briefly during the day when the sun is low on the horizon at dawn and dusk. The predicted effects for the Dartmouth project also do not take into account the masking effect of trees and other obstructions. The predicted effect is that which would occur on a barren landscape. The actual effects will be reduced by the forest that surrounds these sites. Additionally AEC members have repeatedly assured the public that adverse effects can and will be mitigated at individual residences.
Mr. Hurwitz, citing unnamed sources, claims that turbines should not be located within 3000 feet of residences. I can cite examples of many wind turbines located much closer than that. Mass Maritime and Portsmouth Abbey have a turbine ...

... in the middle of their campuses. Hull's wind turbine is next to their high school, as is the turbine in Portsmouth. There is a wind turbine standing adjacent to Route I93 entering Boston. All are within a few hundred feet of residences at most.
Mr. Hurwitz is correct that the standard installation for 1.65 wind turbines is atop an 80 meter tower. The 100 meter tower was selected based upon the location and wind data. The added height provides better wind and more capacity. Wind turbine manufacturers make towers much taller than 100 meters for larger machines. The taller towers are proven technology.
Mr. Hurwitz's final argument is one which has to be considered. Are wind turbines an unsightly blight upon the landscape? In this case, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think that the turbines are stately and majestic. Mr. Hurwitz does not.
But there are other factors to consider besides aesthetics, just as in the trimming of trees. In trimming trees, one must balance the need to have uninterrupted electric service and the pruning of trees to allow that. In the wind turbine case, we must weigh the benefits; lowered costs to the town for energy and production of clean renewable energy that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and our country's reliance on foreign and hostile energy producers against brief shadow flicker events and the feeling of some that the installation is unattractive.
I think that the shadow flicker can and will be mitigated. The aesthetics are a personal preference but there must be trade offs as in the case of phone poles, water and cell towers, highways, and other necessities of modern life.
UPDATE: The Capital Improvement Planning Committee has voted to recommend the funding of the wind turbine project
Click here to read on!

Open Space and Recreation Plan presented at Community Preservation Committee

The town's Open Space and Recreation Plan (161 pages PDF) was discussed at the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) meeting last night. Mr Barry Walker, who is on the CPC, had some concerns with some of the provisions. He writes,

I would like to let people know that there is a new "Open Space and Recreation Plan" posted on the town website. It is quite a lengthy document(at least 133 pages). A small section of it was presented to us at the CPC meeting tonight and to be honest with you, I think there is some material there that needs to be discussed before implementation.

For example: "OBJECTIVE--Protect existing scenic roads, views, and sites. ACTION:--Develop regulations to protect scenic landscapes within the town (example, scenic vista protection bylaw). Provide grants or low interest loans for restoration of stonewalls and other significant structures on scenic roads."

One of the inputs ...

... in developing the plan was a survey of town residents. They overwhelmingly supported protection of scenic landscapes and that is part of the reason for the provision cited. What do you think of the Open Space Plan? Tell us in comments.
Click here to read on!

NPR Marketplace talks about net metering

National Public Radio Marketplace show had a story yesterday about net metering rules recently adopted by Massachusetts and the benefit to renewable (solar and wind) projects. You can listen at this link
The rules, paying retail rates for excess generation, have been adopted and include renewable energy facilities owned by municipalities.
Germany is mentioned in the story ...
... as having a lot of solar capacity. The leader in wind power are the Danes who generate almost 20% of their electrical energy from wind and have 3,129 MW of installed wind turbine capacity.
Click here to read on!