Following the rollout of the "smart" grid despite significant long term opposition and repeated citing of known health hazards to decision makers, the grid has now been installed in MA.

Choices left for concerned residents include:

• Making sure everyone in your community knows that opting out is an option and why they might want to opt out (Charlemont's Selectboard voted to post the opt out option as a "news item" on the town website).
• Bringing the health concerns associated with smart meters to your local Board of Health. Your local BOH has "plenary power" to protect the health of their community.
• Assert your rights directly to your utility in the form of a notarized, certified letter. Here is one great example we received. As far as we know, they are currently being "ignored."
• Continuing to advocate for a no-fee opt out
• Tracking your symptoms following smart meter installation
• Bringing the idea of the your town running it's own electric company to elected officials (successfully implemented in 41 towns in MA as of the date of this writing).

Charlemont Residents: Thank you for voting "Yes" on the one year smart meter moratorium to give the town time to explore running the "Smart Grid" through our existing fiber network which would save energy, reduce fire risk, reduce risk of health impacts and not require installing unsightly wireless repeaters on telephone poles around town like the current plan. Unfortunately, this resolution has been deemed "non-binding" so we have to bring our concerns directly to the department of public utilities and advocate for a wired, safe, hacker-proof version of the smart grid as implemented in Chattanooga, TN. The current plan is for the smart meters to emit microwave radiation into your home to connect with all of your "smart devices". Although the utilities state that consumer data is not "sold", it is "shared."