The purpose of the Falmouth Wind Turbine Option Analysis Process (WTOP) is to engage in an open, transparent, and collaborative exploration of the range of options for the long-term future of the Town’s two Wind Turbines – Wind I and Wind II.

The tasks of the WTOP are to:

• Clarify the range of potentially acceptable long-term options
• Identify the questions that would need to be answered about each of those options in order to evaluate their feasibility, costs, and benefits
• Determine legitimate methods for gaining answers to those questions
• Jointly review and interpret the data that comes back, and
• Evaluate the options based on the new information.

Two additional goals of the WTOP are to:

• Improve relationships and effective communication among the Town officials, affected families, and other members of the town
• Provide an arena for public information and input and transparent deliberation and evaluation

The core interests at stake include:

• Health, safety and well-being of impacted abutters
• Property rights and economic impacts on property for abutters
• Implementation of Falmouth’s climate action protection plan goals to reduce use of fossil fuel
• Fiscal impacts on the town’s taxpayers and town services
• An amicable end to a conflict that has divided and challenged the town’s relationships and reputation

Any broadly acceptable long-term plan for the turbines will need to respond to some extent to all of these core interests.

The participants represent the following interests:

• 5 residents primarily concerned with adverse impacts of the turbines on neighbors, including health and economic impacts
• 2 residents primarily concerned with implementing Falmouth’s climate action protection plan to reduce use of fossil fuel
• 2 taxpayers primarily concerned with the Town of Falmouth's fiscal well-being
• 2 residents with strong empathy for all perspectives. These representatives are primarily concerned with a fair and effective process that may lead to an amicable outcome and reunite the town
• 3 Town Departments
• 2 liaisons from the Board of Selectmen attend all meetings and are available to answer questions, but do not participate at the table

Facilitated by Stacie Smith (stacie@cbuilding.org) and Eric Roberts (eroberts@cbuilding.org).

Click on a date below to view and download the related meeting materials.