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Mark A. Tirrell, Chairman

Linda Zuern, Vice Chairman

Richard LaFarge, Clerk

James T. Grady

W. Thomas Barlow

Chairman Tirrell announced that the Town Administrator, William Griffin, was attending an International City Manager’s Association Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Meeting was called to order 7:13 p.m.

Minutes for September 16 will be presented for approval at the next board meeting.

Correspondence

Selectman LaFarge reviewed the Selectmen’s correspondence.

Selectman Barlow requested a "Thank You" letter be sent to Representative Matt Patrick for his letter to Governor Romney supporting Bourne’s position for reimbursement expenses for educating children of military personnel at the Massachusetts Military Reservation.

Selectman Grady received a call from a citizen regarding the rate increases by Adelphia. It appears that two different letters were sent one - to the Town and another to subscribers. The letter the board received was confusing and the letter sent to the homes was more confusing. The terms used in the enclosure letter were not terms in the card of services. Selectman Grady further spoke on other problems with Adelphia and suggested that the local committee be invited to attend one of the board meetings and review the almost 60% rate increase.

Selectman Tirrell suggested the CATV convene a meeting and report back to the board.

Selectman Barlow previously sat on the CATV Advisory Board and represented the town at the Regulatory Commission on cable increases. The town’s issues had no impact on the state, but he felt it was a good idea to go through the process, meet with Cable Advisory Committee and go before the State Commission to protest the rates.

The board continued discussion on the letter received from Adelphia, complaints filed and their business practices.

MOTION by Selectman Grady, and SECONDED by Selectman Barlow and UNANIMOUSLY voted to ask the CATV committee to convene a meeting, review the matter and report back in a joint session with the Board of Selectmen.

Paul Gately asked if the board received the rate increases. He was told that the rate for digital basic with 1 premium service was going from $16.95 to $24.40.

A further discussion continued on the different programs and tiers.

At the last CATV meeting Jim Mulvey attended they were told that cable rates were out of their jurisdiction and are established by the State. The Committee had no impact other than the State hearing their impression.

Jerry Collette asked for clarification on the opening date of Community Center.

Mr. Collette was told that they were aiming at an October 20, 2003 opening of the building to the public, with a grand opening at a later date.

Selectman Tirrell announced there would be a 30-minute limit on the presentation by Mark Rodgers and followed by a 30-minute discussion period.

Don Hayward, representing Clean Power Now, asked the Selectmen to invite representatives of Cape Wind to update them on the Horseshoe Shoal energy project.

Mr. Hayward thanked the Selectmen for allocating time for his presentation. Clean Power Now is a grass roots advocacy group supporting the timely development of viable renewable energy projects. One of their roles is to evaluate proposed renewable energy projects for viability. Based on Cape Wind’s experience and technical expertise, they believe that the Nantucket Sound Wind Farm Proposal is viable and also in the public interest. They strongly believe the permitting process being managed by the Army Corps of Engineers should be allowed to proceed without hindrance to a just conclusion.

Mr. Hayward participated in the Scallop Festival and said the level of support from the town was about 6 people per hour and managed to obtain 200 signatures during that time. He said they were now an organization of 1500 people, mostly from the Cape.

Mr. Hayward said that Mr. Rodgers is the Communications Director for Cape Wind Associates, a company that is involved in the permitting process with wind turbines on Nantucket Sound. Cape Wind has met and exceeded the comprehensive criteria for a viable wind energy project as laid out by Clean Power Now, as well as others.

Mr. Hayward introduced Mark Rodgers.

Mr. Rodgers thanked the Selectmen for allowing them back again to update them on Cape Wind’s project.

Mr. Rodgers presented an overview of the project and how it fit into a bigger picture; areas of impact to the region of Cape Cod and the Islands and changes that have taken place since is last presentation with both plans and the permitting process.

Mr. Rodgers presented the company’s background. The company behind Cape Wind is Energy Management, Inc. (EMI). EMI is a Massachusetts based company that has been in existence for 27 years. It started in the 1970’s and was dedicated to energy efficiency and conservation programs. The goal of the founders of the Company was to lessen dependency on importing oil from others parts of the world. The Company went to a large number of energy users - pulp mills, paper mills, etc. and showed them how they could manufacture with less energy and a smaller electric bill. They showed one facility how to use wood chips for energy. EMI entered into their first electrical generation in the 1980’s. It was a small, but significant shift in direction for the company.

EMI looked at the energy landscape of New England and was looking towards a trend that had started in other parts of the country and world, which was natural gas power. There was none in New England and there were some new regional transmission gas pipelines that were coming into the region that would serve as a potential to fire up new gas plants to provide, at that time, what was deemed the cleanest alternative available to build large new scale energy production. Fossil fuel was less polluting than coal and oil. EMI planned, developed, built, owned and operated 6 natural gas power plants in New England for the next 15 years.

EMI noticed about four years ago that New Englander’s were approaching 40% reliance on natural gas. The demand for natural gas was greater than the supply available. Natural gas prices have become more volatile with prices going in upward direction and not expecting to go down in the near future.

EMI felt that natural gas could not carry the needs of New England into the future and looked at the next trend. They felt that non-polluting, renewable energy was the way to go. They looked at different technology’s available, studied them, looked at economics of various types of renewables and the question they had was, "is it possible for a New England energy company to get out of the convention power business and try to make a go of it just by building non-polluting renewable energy resources and have it financed from the private sector". They thought it was possible. The company sold their gas power plants and has been using some of the resources of the sale to finance the research of the Cape Wind project. Before releasing information to the press and before the permitting process, EMI put in a lot of work looking for sites throughout New England to find a site most acceptable. Two areas of New England have substantial wind resources - the mountains of northern New England and the Cape & Islands. In doing research, they found that in the 1800’s there were more windmills in New England than anywhere else in the United States.

In looking at the mountain sites the challenges were the electric transmission line, either not present or available. Some of the mountain sites don’t have people, so the developer would have to pay all the costs associated with bringing the grid to them and not just extending the line, but enhancing as well.

They looked at the Cape & Islands and realized that there is not a lot of available land to put in a large wind farm. They met with officials at the Massachusetts Military Reservation in 1991, prior to September 11th. The MMR was not enthusiastic about the concept.

Mr. Rodgers provided information on the wind turbines placed in the European water’s over the last twelve years, their uses and success.

Cape Wind started making visits and comparisons with the wind farms in Europe and found what they believed to be the three important characteristics; wind resource, relatively shallow water and relative low wave heights. New England’s coastline met those three characteristics. Their determination was that Horseshoe Shoal, toward the center on Nantucket Sound, was an ideal location for using those criteria. That part of the Shoal was outside the shipping channels, outside the areas that saw the most boat traffic, outside the flight routes, and outside the ferry routes.

They felt the visual impact and esthetics would be the main concerns people would have. Horseshoe Shoal is the Shoal closest to Nantucket Sound. They started their proposal and permitting process for 170 wind turbines in 2001 and have downsized to 130 wind turbines. They would be separated out over the area of Horseshoe Shoal spaced 1/3 to ½ mile apart. Navigation will still be able to occur and turbines will be laid out in parallel rows. In average wind conditions, the project would provide about 170 megawatts, at full capacity about 420 megawatts of clean renewable energy. The power produced by Cape Wind would be used on Cape Cod & the Islands.

The turbines would reduce trading costs every hour they operate. It could save New England 28 million dollars a year.

Cape Wind will be buying turbines from GE Wind Energy. They would have to locate and open a new manufacturing facility in Southern New England creating hundreds of new jobs. In addition, more jobs would be created with fifty-fifty five high skilled, high paid jobs on a year round basis.

Cape Wind has spent about twelve million dollars so far in the predevelopment permitting process to build their weather tower in Nantucket Sound. They are awaiting the Draft Environmental Impact Statement to come out. They also have seventeen federal and state agencies reviewing their project. Cape Wind indicated a willingness to pay for a lease to use the land. Congress is in the process of reviewing the issue now.

Mr. Rodgers feels that when the EIS comes out, it will be good for everybody.

Chairman Tirrell invited the board members to ask questions.

Selectman Zuern asked how much less would it be for the homeowner to have the electricity through the Wind Farm instead of what they have now.

Mark Rodgers said that it would be hard to say, they don’t know what electric prices will be three to four years from now. They can’t force their power on anybody. They have to sell their electricity in a competitive commodity market for electricity.

Selectman Zuern questioned the $700 million dollars for building the Wind Farm in the pamphlet.

Mark Rodgers felt the project would cost between $700-$750 million dollars by raising the money up front.

Selectman Zuern heard that the Windmills life expectancy is 20 years, and inquired what the cost would be after twenty years to replace it.

Mark Rodgers explained that a substantial amount of the cost more than 30%, but less than 40%, is the electric transmission interconnect cost, which would not have to be done again in the future.

Selectman Zuern asked if they would be taken down when they reach the end of their life expectancy.

Cape Winds has put up a decommissioning bond that would remove the project. They have a bond for the weather tower in Horseshoe Shoal now. They are the first private sector energy developer to put up a full decommissioning bond as part of their project.

Selectman Zuern further asked if EMI has looked into water turbines rather than wind turbines.

Mark Rodgers said they have looked at wave, tidal, solar, etc. companies and found that either the technologies were developed, but just too expensive, or they were not heavily into the commercial stage and more in their research and development stage.

Selectman Tirrell referenced "Cape Wind – Project at a Glance" stating they will reduce regional pollution by about five thousand tons of sulfa dioxide per year and reduce regional greenhouse gas emissions and asked if it was Cape Wind’s contention that the current energy production in the region generates one million tons per year of regional gas emissions.

Mark Rodgers replied that they generate a lot more than that in the region. They are looking just at the amount of the electrical generation that they would be offsetting.

Selectman Barlow, a shellfisherman in favor of the turbines, has spoken with people and their objection is the appearance and the view from Falmouth and the beaches. They perceive that they will walk out to the beaches and see turbines sticking out in the water.

Mark Rodgers said that he has been part of the 200 community presentations, most which have been on the Cape. He feels the more exposure they have, it helps them with the misconceptions people have.

Charles Miller had concerns with the placement of the cables and the structures.

Helen Bresnahan spoke on the permitting process followed in Europe and of parent companies.

Selectman Zuern commented on the creation of 1000 local jobs, and asked how many would loose their jobs from other plants that closed down because of the windmills.

Mark Rodgers said one of the common complaints they run into is that they cannot guarantee that some of the polluting power plants will shut down. They will operate somewhat less, and if it a power facility that is already on the borderline of operability and not operability, maybe it would push them over the edge.

Selectman Tirrell thanked Don Hayward and Mark Rodgers for the presentation and discussion.

Chairman Tirrell reported that EarthTech needed permission from the Town to go onto town property to do Geotechnical borings for the new proposed fire station at the Meeting House Lane location.

MOTION by Selectman Grady, SECONDED by Selectman Zuern, and UNANIMOUSLY VOTED to authorize EarthTech and/or authorized representatives of the MassHighway Department to enter upon town-owned property on Meeting House Lane for the purpose of making soil tests, as necessary, in connection with the proposed construction of a new fire station on the property.

Paul Gately asked if the board received any feedback on the Meeting House Lane location? The board received none.

Selectmen Barlow and Zuern attended the Barnstable County Selectmen’s Association Meeting. A representative of the Cape Cod Commission brought forward a discussion on transportation and the hub that was built in Hyannis and the possibility of looking for satellite hubs. Provincetown is going forward with a mini-hub for that location and looking for a smaller hub for the Upper Cape. The CCC has not made a determination whether it would be the Town of Bourne or Town of Sandwich.

Selectman Barlow thought they should be looking at Buzzards Bay as a possible transportation satellite hub for buses and possible rail connections in future. Years ago, the buses actually came to Main Street Buzzards Bay and brought people to and from the downtown area. The Town’s Transportation Committee, Town Planner, the Town Administrator and Buzzards Bay Village Association should look at the possibility of locating a satellite station in downtown Buzzards Bay and consider forwarding a proposal to the CCC.

Selectman Zuern attended the Bourne Committee meeting last week and their agenda also had to do with the transportation and mentioned Buzzards Bay as a possible satellite hub. She agreed with Selectman Barlow that it should be forwarded to our Transportation Advisory Committee and have them look into that.

Selectman Grady mentioned that there was a member of the Transportation Advisory Committee on the Board of Selectmen and that we already have a mini-transportation place at Tedeschi’s. Tedeschi’s sells bus tickets and 2/3rds of their parking lot is used for commuters. The Town is already functioning as a center. After the flyover is constructed in Sagamore there will be parking for 325 cars on a daily basis. Selectman Grady feels that we are head and shoulders over Sandwich in terms of being the most appropriate town and the Transportation Committee can make those points before the appropriate boards or committee.

Selectman Grady thanked Selectman Barlow for bringing that to their attention.

Chairman Tirrell mentioned that the BBVA has discussed it as part of their discussions.

Selectman LaFarge, reported that the Transportation Advisory Board already had an agenda item and someone now needs to come up with a location. The Transportation Advisory Board will discuss the matter thoroughly.

Chairman Tirrell had no report.

Selectman Zuern announced the upcoming meeting of the Senior Management Board on September 24.

Selectman Grady reported that the Bylaw Committee met on this date and voted unanimously to recommend approval of the article concerning the delegation of the authority to issue food vendor’s licenses to the Town Administrator and also the article to increase mooring fees supported by the DNR.

Selectman Tirrell reported that the Capital Outlay Committee met today and their recommendations will be presented to the board next week.

Selectman Tirrell announced that there would be no Town Administrator’s Report this week. Mr. Griffin is attending the International City Manager’s Association’s annual meeting in North Carolina.

Jim Mulvey mentioned he firmly believes rail is coming in the future. Off-street parking is necessary and there is none. He strongly hopes someone will look at the open space area in downtown Buzzards Bay for the near future and further down the road.

Selectman Grady commented that if the MBTA decides to come down to Buzzards Bay, they have full power of eminent domain and if they need parking the MBTA and State will pay for it. He is not suggesting that the town spend its money on land acquisition for parking.

Jim Mulvey feels that the town should take the land and then later let the MBTA purchase it from the Town.

MOTION made, SECONDED and UNANIMOUSLY VOTED to adjourn at 8:50 p.m.