Letters to Town of Waterford Officials
Letters to Town of Waterford Officials
Emails to Town of Waterford Officials
Tracy McHugh letter to Waterford RTM April 8 2024
Our family in East Lyme and Waterford never thought a reckless idea like a Data center would go into the Niantic Bay Area. Where’s our environmental and security mindfulness? Money cannot replace bald Eagles, (who are still protected), Osprey and the many migrating butterflies and birds who have found a home in Waterford, Niantic River, and Niantic Bay
for their nesting sites. The loud buzz (which there will be and those who tell you otherwise are not speaking truth) will drive the wildlife out of our state and severely affect the sea beds - not to mention deter tourism, drive away beachgoers, and eliminate the possibility of a quiet stroll on the boardwalk or along Black Point beach with the new view of a two-story
data center rising up behind the Millstone industrial park. (more)
Attorney John C. Valliere - Letter to Waterford 1st Selectman
"This is written to find out what information you (and/or your fellow Board of Selectmen) know about the status of the proposed data center at Dominion/Millstone.
Now that the Connecticut Siting Council has denied Dominion's request to segregate part of the Dominion site for leased land for the data center proposal, can you please tell me what now is the status of the project?"
Dr Lisa A. Kuntz - letter to Waterford Planning & Zoning Commission & Waterford Board of Selectmen
"I am writing this letter to again voice opposition and concerns and to ask questions regarding the Qualified Data Centers Host Municipality Fee Agreement between NE Edge, LLC and the Town of Waterford dated March 17, 2023. As suggested in a recent meeting by the attorney for NE Edge, LLC, I have reviewed the agreement in its entirely and have a number of ongoing concerns and questions about it. I would appreciate your attention to these concerns and questions and await your response."
December 4, 2023, Elaine Lisitano
Read and Submitted at RTM meeting February 5, 2024 by Tina DuBosque for Elaine Lisitano
To the members of the Waterford RTM:
I respectfully ask that you reconsider your approval for the building of a Data Center on the property of Dominion in Waterford. There are several reasons for my concerns:
RTM, Dec. 4, 2023, Town of Waterford, Michèle Lewis O’Donnell
For Public Comment and Meeting Minutes
To be Copied: Gov. Lamont, Senator Martha Marx, and Representative Kathleen McCarty
Good evening, Town Representatives and fellow residents,
My name is Michèle Lewis O’Donnell. I attended the last RTM on Oct 2, 2023, and in my public comment expressed my grave concern regarding the lack of transparency with town residents about the proposed data center on the Dominion Millstone site.
Dr. Lisa Kuntz
March 2023
First Selectman Brule,
Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with the MPA members this morning about the proposed data centers on the Dominion property. It is very much appreciated. I know you took extensive notes, but I wanted to email you with the points/concerns that are most important to me. In addition, if there is something I can do to help with the vetting process of this project, please let me know.
I have read the proposal documents for the data center available on line and can see that the town, Dominion and the developer are committed to following the letter of the law. While I appreciate that, I would like to see the developer and Dominion go beyond what is required to what would be best/ideal and forward thinking for the quality of life of everyone in the area and the environment. Specifically, as a neighbor of Dominion I would like to see the following concerns addressed.
-Noise from the power plant. The noise from the existing power plant should be addressed first. I realize that when the plant was built it met the requirements at that time. However, the world has only gotten nosier and addressing this would be a good faith gesture that would go a long way in convincing me that everyone involved will do the right things for the neighborhood and the environment in the design and construction of the data centers. Meeting minimum, legally required standards is not enough.
-Wildlife concerns. Where will the wildlife that will be displaced by the data centers go? What provisions will be made for the wildlife? What effect will the data centers have on the wildlife that remains? If there is no impact anticipated, how can this be known? The data centers are not yet built.
-Aesthetics. How will these buildings be built to blend in with the environment? What natural barriers will be preserved or planted? There are not good natural barriers for the power plant so this is a concern.
-Noise. From my perspective, for the project to be seriously considered, making sure that there is a noise abatement plan required for BOTH the power plant and data centers is essential. I fully support my neighbor, who stated he designed the noise monitoring for schools in Waterford, helping with this project. I agree that the week long monitoring to create a noise abatement plan as required by law is NOT reflective of the experience of living near the power plant. I would volunteer my home as a monitoring station as well and support on-going monitoring of some type after the data centers are in operation.
-Water. It is my understanding that the water to cool the equipment in the data centers are part of a self contained system and that when the water needs to be emptied, it will be taken off site. Can this be written into the regulations so that dumping of this water can never be done on the Dominion property? Where will this water be dumped? I would like to know and understand where this is being done and the impact on the environment of that area.
-Land Use. While I understand that access to the power plant land was restricted after 9/11, I do think this would be a good time to request a reevaluation of this. As part of this project, if it is approved, I would like MPA members (and Waterford community members) to have access to the property for walking trails. This was possible many years ago and with the expansion on the property to a business other than the power plant, it seems like a reasonable request.
-Cranberry Pond. What if any impact will there be on Cranberry Pond? If there is no impact anticipated, please explain. In conjunction with this, there is an access road to the Dominion property and a pipe for drainage under this road from Cranberry Pond. No one seems to take ownership of the road or the pipe, which is I need of repair. Is this project a way to get someone to take ownership of the road leading up to Dominion by the main beach at MPA? Is this a way to force work on the pipe and better preserve Cranberry Pond?
-Traffic. It is my understanding that traffic for construction and future employees of the data centers will NOT affect the MPA neighborhood. Can this be written into the construction plan and final approval? It is my experience that if it is NOT written down, it does not exist.
-Construction Schedule and Noise. If the project is approved, what steps will be taken to control noise? Will the surrounding neighbors have any say in when construction takes place? The proposal contains lots of language about deadlines, but does not clearly indicate when the work would take place or how the noise associated with that process will be addressed.
-EMFs. The study of the impact of EMFs appears to be in its infancy. Will there be any monitoring of EMFs from the data centers? Will the construction of the buildings have the ability to limit EMFs released into the environment?
-Transparency. I appreciate your commitment to transparency. What is the plan for communicating with community members?
I fully understand the potential fiscal benefits of this plan for Waterford, Dominion and the developer. Are any immediate benefits being considered for residents of MPA or other surrounding neighborhoods? For example, free access to the new fiber optic technology for immediate neighbors of the data centers…
Again, thank you for this morning’s meeting and for reading this email. Feel free to contact me with questions.
Dr. Lisa Kuntz
to: susan_driscoll@sbcglobal.net
date: Mar 7, 2024
subject: FW: data center
Susan, its been a month since I emailed you the below request. Have you given it any consideration? Please go to www.sites.google.com/view/ccwel-resources/home for more information.
Respectfully, Elaine Lisitano
From: elaine isitano
Sent: Friday, February 9, 2024
To: susan_driscoll@sbcglobal.net
Subject: data center
As a 4th district representative, I am asking you for your support in trying to deny the passage of having the data center placed on Dominion property. Please support your constituents in your district and respect their home values, assets, and quality of life.
Thank you.
Elaine Lisitano
Waterford, Ct. 06385
to: wastreasurer152@outlook.com
date: Mar 7, 2024
subject: data center
Dear Mr. Dembek: I emailed the below message to you almost a month ago, and have not received an answer. Please let me know you considerations and kindly reference our concerns by looking at the following website: www.sites.google.com/view/ccwel-resources/home
Thank you for your time.
Elaine Lisitano
Sent: Friday, February 9, 2024
To: wastreasurer152@outlook.com
Subject: data center
Dear Sir: It would be nice if the RTM members for the 4th district show some concern for their constituents and support ways of trying to stop this insane data center idea. Put it some where else, not close to residential or the shoreline. Our property values will plummet, as well as our health and anxiety levels..
Please rethink your position.
Sincerely,
Elaine Lisitano
Waterford, Ct. 06385
Sent: Thursday, March 7, 2024
To: keatley1217@gmail.com
Subject: data center
Dear Mr. Keatley: I am asking that you reconsider your support of Selectman Brule’s decision to host a data center on Dominion Property. It is unfair to our town, and especially those of us in District 4. My property abuts Dominion and only a stone wall separates our properties. I don’t want to hear noise, see lights, or lose the solitude of the neighborhood. The wildlife is abundant…and we will lose so much. Please read some negatives at: www.sites.google.com/view/ccwel-resources/home Thank you so much.
Elaine Lisitano
Waterford, Ct 06385
ericacasper1@gmail.com
date: Mar 7, 2024
subject: Data Center
As an RTM member for district 4 and as a nearby neighbor of Millstone Power Plant, I am asking that you reconsider your opinion of agreeing with Selectman Brule and the Data Center agreement to place 2 huge date centers on Millstone property. It will devastate this neighborhood. You live close by….please review the info on our website: www.sites.google.com/view/ccwel-resources/home
Thank you for your time.
Elaine Lisitano
Waterford, Ct. 06385
to: davidsugrue@aol.com
date: Mar 7, 2024
subject: data center
Dear Mr. Sugrue: I am asking that you reconsider your support of Selectman Brule’s decision to host a data center on Dominion Property. It is unfair to our town, and especially those of us in District 4. My property abuts Dominion and only a stone wall separates our properties. I don’t want to hear noise, see lights, or lose the solitude of the neighborhood. The wildlife is abundant and the solitude of our neighborhood is ideal…and we will lose so much. Please read some negatives at: www.sites.google.com/view/ccwel-resources/home Thank you so much.
Elaine Lisitano
Waterford, Ct 06385
cjessuck@gmail.com
date: Mar 1, 2024, 3:19 PM
subject: Data Center
Good Afternoon:
I wish you and the RTM members would reconsider supporting Mr. Brule in backing the proposed data center to be placed on Dominion Property. As a taxpayer, I am not happy with a decision to go with a basically unknown data center contractor, NE Edge, as well as one that has pending lawsuits against them. What is to prevent them from abruptly ending the “deal” in midstream, and leaving behind a destructive environment that would take years to re-establish. From what I have read, the company is not reliable.
Also, by promoting this in your district, you are allowing our quiet shoreline community to be possibly inundated with unwanted, potentially hazardous noise. There is no way to estimate the noise and the curtailment of such by such a huge 1.5 million square foot data center. If the noise can’t be curtailed, what then? Stop the project midway? It is wrong to even start without all the facts.
My property abuts Dominion, on a quiet, less traveled street. My neighbors and I are not happy with the prospect of this data center being so close. If Mr. Brule decided this was a good tax break, he could have opted to placed elsewhere. AND we cannot be guaranteed that this will deal will be consummated and a tax benefits will be received.
Please reconsider your support for this project.
Elaine Lisitano
Waterford, Ct. 06385
(1)
On Feb 9, 2024, at 12:07 PM,to M Bono:
Dear Sir: It would be nice if the RTM members for the 4th district show some concern for their constituents and support ways of trying to stop this insane data center idea. Put it some where else, not close to residential or the shoreline. Our property values will plummet, as well as our health and anxiety levels..
Please rethink your position.
Sincerely,
Elaine Lisitano
Waterford, Ct. 06385
RESPONSES
(1)
On Fri, Feb 9, 2024, 4:11 PM Michael Bono <michael.anthony.bono@gmail.com> wrote:
Thank you for your thoughts. Can you please provide your resources for declining property values and negative health effects. I will forward them along to my colleagues for review.
Michael Bono
Waterford Representative Town Meeting
District 4
Committees
Public Health, Environment & Recreation
Public Works, Planning & Development
(2)
On Feb 10, 2024, at 10:23 AM, Elaine Lisitano wrote:
I am more concerned with resale for now. We have such a great quiet street that it would be a shame to ruin it. Thanks again for looking into this. I know there is a lot of information. One other thing to consider is security to Millstone point. Already a prime target for terrorists, an added huge data center would make it more appealing...spread it out. Thanks.
(Elaine also sent the URL for the Resources website)
(2) (A)
On Sat, Feb 10, 2024, 7:18 AM Michael Bono <michael.anthony.bono@gmail.com> wrote:
Elaine,
Thank you for the information it is going to take me a while to get through all of it. Have you considered the impact to your home value of development isn’t done? How does the value of a home correlated to mill rate?
Michael Bono
Waterford Representative Town Meeting
District 4
Committees
Public Health, Environment & Recreation
Public Works, Planning & Development
(2) (B)
From: Michael Bono <michael.anthony.bono@gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, February 10, 2024 10:44 AM
To: Elaine Lisitano
Subject: Re: data center
Security is a red herring…. Millstone is no more of a target than EB, the subbase, or the coast guard academy. The former both nuclear targets as well. I have spoken to homeland security officials about this concern of security as it relates to a data center and they feel it is unsubstantiated.
So to that point I disagree with you.
I under the concern of resale value but I also have residents concerned with the tax rate and seniors wanting to stay in their homes but can’t afford to do so if we raise taxes. This is a difficult decision that will require significant deliberation.
Thank you for the information please feel free to forward more as it comes available
Michael Bono
Waterford Representative Town Meeting
District 4
Committees
Public Health, Environment & Recreation
Public Works, Planning & Development
(3)
to: Michael Bono <michael.anthony.bono@gmail.com>
date: Mar 7, 2024, 1:15 PM
subject: RE: data center
Mr. Bono: Have you discussed any of this with your colleagues as you said you would? Just curious as to their response.
The tax benefits Waterford is said to get won’t help much when seniors get significantly higher electric and natural gas bills because the data centers and the direct connections to reactors will drive up the generation costs. Most seniors on moderate fixed incomes cannot sustain these cost.
Tax credits will also pale compared to those exposed to noise, loss of wildlife, and degradation of quality of life.
Please consider again your decisions.
Thank you. Elaine [Lisitano]