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Select Board hears progress on ADLS testing and blade removals after turbine failure
Summary
Board members and state senators reported Vineyard Wind will test the first 12 ADLS (aviation detection light system) units next week and that blade‑removal work is accelerating; residents pressed for better communication and enforcement of the Good Neighbor Agreement over persistent lighting and other impacts.
During Select Board announcements, a board speaker announced a Vineyard Wind update and described a short testing and removal timeline the company had given to town officials.
“Breaking news,” the Select Board speaker said during the meeting: “I talked to the CEO of Vineyard Wind at 04:45PM. And, they are testing the first 12 sets of ADLS next week. So we should expect the first 12 turbines to go dark at night with the ADLS system, assuming that they… are sending a helicopter over next week to test that.” The speaker added that new turbines will be commissioned with ADLS active.
Board members and several public commenters, including Commissioner Malcolm and other residents, raised continued concerns about lighting, safety and economic effects after last summer’s blade failure and ongoing visibility of turbine lighting. In public comment, one speaker said an analysis showed “about a 6% decrease in business to the island” following the incident, adding there was uncertainty about long‑term economic effects.
Senator Cyr told the board he pushed state and federal agencies to respond after the blade failure and described his frustration with remaining lighting problems: “I can’t believe these lights are still on,” he said, noting he had sought explanations from responsible parties and town counsel on potential remedies.
The board’s update included status details provided by town staff: Vineyard Wind was ordered to remove blades from turbines that used blades from a specific manufacturer; the speaker reported 22 turbine sets (66 blades) were originally ordered removed, four complete sets have been removed so far, and a vessel that can move five sets at once is expected to accelerate removals. The speaker said two turbines with blades manufactured in France were separately deemed sound and not subject to the removal order.
Why it matters: the ADLS tests and blade removals directly affect nighttime light levels, aviation safety procedures and the town’s ongoing enforcement of the project’s Good Neighbor Agreement. Residents seeking further redress repeatedly urged the town to pursue stronger enforcement and clearer public communications.
What’s next: the Select Board said it will follow announcements from Vineyard Wind and continue to press for in‑person tests and quick rollout of ADLS, and encouraged residents to continue sharing concerns with state offices and town counsel.
