HomeMy WebLinkAboutLynch Comment Letter BCC.Aug823.AvangridDate: August 7, 2023
To: The Barnstable Conservation Commission
From: Jennifer Lynch, Centerville
Re: Public hearing, August 8, 2023, Park City Wind
Dear Conservation Commission,
As you review the application before you from Park City Wind/Avangrid, I don’t know if the route the electrical cables will take from the beach through the village and out to West Barnstable
is among the issues you are considering or not. As you may be aware, this has been a controversial aspect of the project within Centerville. I know you’ve received several written comments
on this.
If it is part of your review, I’d like to express my support for Avangrid’s selection of the Direct Route, AKA the Main Street Route, thru the village.
I oppose efforts to switch this decision to the Alternate Route, which is almost twice the length of the Direct Route and would present numerous downsides in addition to taking the cables
on a long and circuitous route through the village instead of the straight shot that is the Direct Route. The Alternate Route would include several right angles and at least one hairpin
turn, among other challenges. From an engineering standpoint, it makes no sense to use this route. Nor from an economic or environmental standpoint or for any other reason.
Some residents have voiced concern that there are historic homes, nice trees and thriving businesses that might be disrupted along the Direct Route. I’d like to point out that the Alternate
Route, where I live, also has many historic homes, valuable old trees and numerous thriving businesses that might also be disrupted. In fact, the oldest house in Centerville is on the
Alternate Route, where South Main Street and Church Hill Road meet. Also, the historic John Richardson home on Phinney’s Lane, built in 1795, is on the National Register of Historic
Places. The Ancient Cemetery on Phinney’s Lane is also on the Alternate Route and on the National Register.
Among the many businesses that could be affected on the Alternate Route are: the iconic Four Seas Ice Cream, alarge motel across the street, a popular hair salon, a busy liquor store,
a dog groomer, a busy nursing home and an active church, Our Lady of Victory, that hosts community meetings and activities throughout the week in addition to Sunday services.
There are also two beautiful parks along the Alternate Route (Aaron Crosby and Mother’s Park) and an environmentally-sensitive pond, Long Pond. Looking at the environment, a March 24,
2023 Cape Cod Commission staff memo concluded that using the Direct Route would be less harmful to wetlands and other natural resources.
The Direct Route also makes more economic sense. Given its shorter length it would be considerably less expensive – a cost ultimately affecting ratepayers. It would also be less disruptive
to everyone, mainly because the work would last two construction seasons instead of three.
The Direct Route, AKA Main Street Route, is the far more logical choice and I hope you will support this one if this issue is part of your review.
Regarding the submarine electrical cables and on-shore duct banks, I urge you to impose the strictest environmental requirements you are able to in order to ensure the least disruption
as possible to the marine environment and wildlife.
Thank you.
Jennifer Lynch
Centerville, MA
508-280-6672
jenniferlynch@comcast.net